LIBRAE 

CALIFORNIA 
SAN  0l6©O 


LONDON  BOOK    CO. 
|    224  West   Broadway 
Glendale,  Calif.     91204 
244-0828 


"O 


C^   ^  CZ      &.    .  ^Z/fl     - 


3*  —  >       "/> 


\ 


THE   JOURNAL 


OP 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY, 

H  I 

A  MINISTER  OF  THE  GOSPEL  IN  THE 
SOCIETY  OF  FRIENDS. 


"Blessed  is  the  man  who  walketh  not  in  the  counsel  of  the  ungodly,  nor  standeth 
in  the  way  of  sinners,  nor  sitteth  in  the  seat  of  the  scornful;  but  his  delight  ig 
In  the  taw  of  the  Lord,  and  in  his  law  doth  he  meditate  both  day  and  night."  — 
Psalm  i.  1,  2. 


STEREOTYPE   EDITION. 


PHILADELPHIA: 
FOR   SALE   AT   FRIENDS'  BOOKSTORE, 


No.  304  ARCH  STREET. 


TO  THE  READER. 


The  Christian  experiences  of  the  faithful  being 
useful  to  direct  such  as  are  desirous  of  following 
them  in  the  path  of  true  religion  and  virtue,  and 
their  good  examples  shining  with  the  greatest  clear- 
ness, when  they  have,  with  the  flesh,  put  off  all 
human  infirmities;  justice  to  their  memory,  and  a 
concern  for  the  benefit  of  their  survivors,  demand 
our  grateful  remembrance  of  them,  and  the  contrib- 
uting of  our  endeavors  to  render  their  labors  useful 
to  posterity. 

These  considerations  engage  us  to  preface  the 
writings  of  this  our  esteemed  friend  and  elder  in 
the  truth,  with  this  testimony  concerning  him. 

He  was  a  member  of  our  Monthly  Meeting  above 
forty  years,  so  that  some  of  us  had  opportunities  of 
being  intimately  acquainted  with  him,  and  of  know- 
ing his  fidelity  and  diligence  in  promoting  the  cause 
of  truth  and  the  edification  of  the  church  of  Christ ; 
this  having  been  the  principal  engagement  and  con- 
cern of  his  mind,  and  which  he  preferred  to  any 
other  consideration,  as  will  evidently  appear  to  those 
l*  (v) 


VI  TO    THE    READER. 

who  with  an  honest  and  unprejudiced  intention  pe- 
ruse the  journal  of  his  life  and  travels. 

By  this  it  will  appear,  that  he  was  in  the  early 
part  of  his  life,  sensibly  affected  with  the  visitation 
of  divine  life  and  grace,  and  by  adhering  thereto 
was  preserved  from  the  vanities  and  follies  which 
often  divert  and  alienate  the  minds  of  youth  from 
a  due  remembrance  and  awful  regard  of  their  Cre- 
ator. Thus  he  was  enabled  to  bear  a  testimony  of 
Christian  patience  and  self-denial  in  his  youthful 
days,  and  by  keeping  under  that  exercise,  as  he 
advanced  in  years,  attained  to  further  knowledge 
and  experience  in  the  work  of  religion,  in  which 
he  had  a  sight  of  the  necessity  of  keeping  in  a 
state  of  humility,  and  of  bearing  the  cross  of  Christ, 
which  mortified  him  to  the  world.  The  loss  which 
many  sustain  by  the  anxious  pursuit  of  the  lawful 
things  thereof,  appearing  to  him,  he  was  concerned 
to  avoid  it,  and,  in  obedience  to  the  precept  of  Christ, 
to  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteous- 
ness, having  faith  in  his  promise,  that  all  things 
necessary  for  him  should  be  added. 

Thus  the  love  of  God  influencing  his  mind,  and 
opening  his  understanding,  he  became  concerned 
for  the  general  good  of  mankind,  and  received  a 
gift  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  before 
he  had  attained  the  age  of  twenty-one  years ;  in  the 
public  exercise  of  which,  he  soon  after  travelled 
through  many  parts  of  England,  and  into  Scotland. 
In  the  year  1697  he  came  to  visit  Friends  in  this 


TO   THE   READER.  Vll 

and  the  adjacent  provinces  of  America,  where  his 
ministry  and  conversation  were  to  the  comfort  and 
edification  of  the  faithful,  as  some  of  us  can  with 
satisfaction  declare  from  our  knowledge  and  remem- 
brance of  him  at  that  time ;  and  the  near  fellowship 
and  union  he  then  had  with  Friends  here,  we  believe 
contributed  to  his  more  speedy  determination  of  set- 
tling among  us,  which  he  afterwards  thought  it  his 
duty  to  do,  though  leaving  his  parents  and  relations 
was  no  small  cross  to  him,  being  of  a  dutiful  and 
affectionate  disposition. 

After  fixing  his  residence  among  us,  he  persevered 
in  his  concern  and  labor  for  the  edification  of  the 
churches,  and  gathering  people  to  faith  and  depend- 
ence on  the  inward  teachings  of  Christ,  and  for  that 
purpose  only  he  travelled  many  long  journeys  and 
voyages  through  the  several  English  colonies  on 
this  continent,  and  most  of  the  islands  in  the  West 
Indies,  and  in  Europe,  through  England,  Wales, 
Scotland,  Ireland,  Holland,  Friesland,  and  several 
parts  of  Germany,  and  the  adjacent  northern  king- 
doms. In  many  of  these  places  his  ministry  and 
religious  labors  were  blessed  with  the  desired  suc- 
cess, of  which  there  are  yet  some  witnesses  living, 
and  others,  who  were  convinced  of  the  principles 
of  Truth  by  his  means,  became  serviceable  members 
of  the  church,  and  continued  therein  to  the  end  of 
their  lives. 

But  as  the  wise  king  Solomon  formerly  observed, 
that  one  event  cometh  to  the  righteous  and  to  the 


viii  TO    THE   READER. 

wicked,  so  it  happened  to  this  good  man,  who  met 
with  various  losses  and  disappointments  in  his  tem- 
poral estate;  after  which,  the  circumstances  of  his 
affairs  engaged  him  to  undertake  some  business,  in 
the  management  of  which  he  was  obliged  to  cross 
the  seas  frequently.  This,  however,  did  not  abate 
his  zeal  and  religious  care  to  make  use  of  all  oppor- 
tunities of  visiting  the  meetings  of  Friends  when 
among  them,  and  of  calling,  at  other  times,  to  such 
who  might  be  accounted  as  the  outcasts  of  Israel, 
and  the  dispersed  of  Judah,  or  as  sheep  not  yet  of 
the  fold  of  Christ ;  and  his  services  of  that  kind  are 
worthy  to  be  commemorated,  having  been  often  pro- 
ductive of  good  effects. 

His  patience  was  remarkable  in  disappointments 
and  afflictions,  of  which  he  had  a  large  share ;  and 
his  meekness,  humility,  and  circumspection  in  the 
general' course  of  his  life  and  conversation,  were 
conspicuous  and  exemplary.  As  he  frequently  ex- 
horted and  admonished  others  to  the  observation 
and  practice  of  the  many  excellent  precepts  and 
rules  of  Christ,  our  Lord  and  lawgiver,  and  more 
especially  those  expressed  in  his  sermon  on  the 
mount,  which  contains  the  sum  of  our  moral  and 
religious  duties,  so  he  manifested  himself  to  be  one 
of  that  number  whom  Christ  compared  to  the  wise 
builder,  who  laid  a  sure  foundation;  so  that  his 
building  stood  unshaken  by  the  various  floods  and 
winds  of  tribulations  and  temptations  which  he  met 
with,  both  from  within  and  without. 


TO    THE    READER.  IX 

He  was  a  lover  of  unity  amongst  brethren,  and 
careful  to  promote  and  maintain  it,  showing  the 
example  of  a  meek,  courteous,  and  loving  deport- 
ment, not  only  to  Friends,  but  to  all  others  with 
whom  he  had  conversation  or  dealings ;  so  that  it 
may  be  truly  said,  few  have  lived  more  universally 
beloved  and  respected  among  us.  It  was  manifest 
that  this  did  not  proceed  from  a  desire  of  being  pop- 
ular, or  to  be  seen  of  man  ;  for  his  love  and  regard 
to  peace  did  not  divert  him  from  the  discharge  of 
his  duty  in  a  faithful  testimony  to  those  who  pro- 
fessed 'the  truth,  that  they  ought  to  be  careful  to 
maintain  good  works.  He  was  often  concerned  zeal- 
ously to  incite  and  press  Friends  to  the  exercise  of 
good  order  and  discipline,  established  in  the  wisdom 
of  Truth,  by  admonishing,  warning,  and  timely  treat- 
ing with  such  as  fell  short  of  their  duty  therein,  and 
by  testifying  against  those  who,  after  loving  and 
brotherly  care  and  endeavors,  could  not  be  brought 
to  the  sense  and  practice  of  their  duty ;  and  thereby 
he  .sometimes  shared  the  ill-will  and  resentment  of 
such  persons. 

The  several  essays  which  he  wrote  on  religious 
subjects  while  at  sea,  are  further  proofs  that  his  mind 
was  principally  engaged  in  the  great  business  and 
concern  of  religion;  and  as  he  continued  under  the 
same  engagement  to  the  end,  we  are  fully  persuaded 
the  words  with  which  he  concluded  his  last  public 
testimony  in  the  island  of  Tortola,  may  be  truly  and 
properly  applied  to  him ;  that  he  had  fought  a  good 


x  TO   THE    READER. 

fight,  and  had  kept  the  faith,  and,  we  doubt  not,  he 
now  enjoys  a  crown  of  righteousness. 

Much  more  might  be  truly  said  of  his  integrity, 
faithfulness,  and  worth,  but  we  do  not  think  it  neces 
sary ;  our  ch'ef  intention  being  to  express  our  re- 
spectful remembrance  of  him,  and  our  unity  with 
his  labors  and  services,  and  in  order  to  assure  those 
to  whom  he  was  not  personally  known,  of  the  truth 
of  what  he  hath  himself  written  of  his  life  and  travels. 
We  believe,  as  he  was  a  man  signally  influenced  with 
the  spirit  of  universal  love  and  good  will  to  mankind, 
this  was  his  chief  motive  for  writing ;  and  we  are 
sincerely  desirous  that  his  good  design  may  be  an- 
swered, and  that  the  glory  of  every  good  and  perfect 
work  may  be  attributed  to  that  divine  power  alone, 
which  can  qualify  others  to  supply  the  places  of 
those  faithful  ministers  and  servants  of  Christ  who 
have  been  of  late  years  removed  from  among  us,  and 
are  of  that  number,  of  whom  it  is  written,  "Blessed 
are  the  dead,  which  die  in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth  ; 
yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labors,  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

Signed  on  behalf  and  by  appointment  of  the  Monthly  Meet- 
ing of  Friends  in  Philadelphia,  the  2&th  day  of  tht 
Second  month,  1749,  by 

ISRAEL  PEMBERTON. 


THE    JOURNAL 

OP 

THOMAS    CHALKLEY., 

CHAPTER  I. 

1675-1699. 

Birth  and  Education — Youthful  Follies  —  Early  Visitations  — 
Broken  Covenants  —  Change  of  Heart  —  Trial  in  regard  to 
Plain  Language  —  Pressed  on  Board  a  Man-of-War  —  Distinc- 
tion between  the  Voice  of  Christ  and  of  Satan  —  Appears  in 
the  Ministry  —  Expiration  of  Apprenticeship  —  Visits  Sundry 
Meetings  —  Death  of  his  Mother  —  Travels  into  the  North  of 
England  and  Scotland — Visit  to  America — Incidents  of  Voyage 
—  Lands  in  Maryland  —  Goes  into  Virginia  —  Pennsylvania  — 
New  Jersey  —  Rhode  Island  —  Boston  —  Nantucket  —  Massachu- 
setts—  Returns  through'  New  York  to  Pennsylvania — Mary- 
land —  Virginia. 

Having  great  cause  to  acknowledge  the  regard 
and  protection  of  divine  Providence  in  the  several 
stages  of  my  life,  I  think  it  may  be  of  service  to 
others  to  leave  behind  me  the  following  account  of 
my  life  and  travels. 

I  was  born  on  the  3d  day  of  the  Third  month,  1675, 
in  Southwark,  and  descended  of  honest  and  religious 

(") 


12  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

parents,  who  were  very  careful  of  me,  and  brought 
me  up  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord ;  and  oftentimes  coun- 
selled me  to  sobriety,  and  reproved  me  for  wanton- 
ness ;  and  that  light  spirit  which  is  incident  to  youth, 
they  were  careful  to  nip  in  the  bud :  so  that  I  have 
cause  to  bless  God,  through  Christ,  on  the  behalf  of 
•my  tender  parents. 

I  may  not  forget  the  dealings  of  God  with  me  in 
my  very  tender  years.  When  between  eight  and  ten 
years  of  age,  my  father  and  mother  sent  me  nearly 
two  miles  to  school,  to  Richard  Scoryer,  in  the  suburbs 
of  London.  I  went  mostly  by  myself,  and  many  and 
various  were  the  exercises  I  went  through,  by  beatings 
and  stonings  along  the  streets,  being  distinguished  to 
the  people  by  the  badge  of  plainness  which  my  parents 
put  upon  me,  of  what  profession  I  was  :  divers  telling 
me,  "  it  was  no  more  sin  to  kill  me  than  it  was  to  kill 
a  dog." 

About  this  time  the  Lord  began  to  work  strongly 
on  my  mind  by  his  grace,  insomuch  that  I  could  not 
forbear  reproving  those  lads  who  would  take  the 
name  of  the  Lord  God  in  their  mouths  in  vain,  re- 
minding them  of  the  third  commandment,  "  Thou 
shalt  not  take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain, 
for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that  taketh 
his  name  in  vain ;  "  and  of  Christ's  saying,  "  Every  idle 
word  that  men  shall  speak,  they  shall  give  an  account 
thereof  in  the  day  of  judgment ;"  for  which  I  was 
mocked  and  derided  by  some,  and  others  would  some- 
times refrain  from  such  bad  words  when  I  reproved 
them. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  13 

One  time  I  remember  being  amongst  some  men, 
one  of  whom  I  had  reproved,  and  he  told  the  rest 
of  it,  and  turned  to  me,  and  said,  "  that  I  was  no 
Christian,"  and  asked  me,  "  whether  I  said  the  Lord's 
Prayer?"  I  asked  him,  if  he  said  it.  He  replied 
yes.  I  then  asked  him,  how  he  could  call  God  father, 
and  be  so  wicked  as  to  swear  and  take  God's  name  in 
vain;  which  I  had  heard  him  often  do;  and  I  told 
him  what  Christ  said  to  the  Jews,  "  Ye  are  of  your 
father,  the  devil,  because  his  works  ye  do ;"  and  that 
those  that  did  the  devil's  work  could  not  truly  call 
God  father,  according  to  Christ's  doctrine.  Being 
convicted  in  their  consciences  that  what  I  said  was 
true,  they  were  all  silent,  and  wondered  that  I,  being 
so  young,  should  speak  in  such  a  manner ;  in  which 
I  remember  I  had  great  peace  and  good  satisfaction ; 
and  from  thenceforth  these  men  let  me  alone. 

Notwithstanding  I  hated  to  hear  wicked  words,  I 
loved  play  exceedingly,  being  persuaded  that  there 
was  no  harm  in  that,  if  we  used  no  bad  words.  One 
time  I  was  at  play  at  a  neighbor's  house  with  the 
children,  and  in  the  midst  of  my  sport  I  was  reached 
with  strong  conviction,  insomuch  that  I  could  not 
forbear  weeping.  The  children's  mother  observing 
that  I  wept,  said,  "Why  do  you  weep?"  I  told  her 
I  could  not  tell,  except  it  was  because  I  was  a  naughty 
boy.  "  Oh  ! "  said  she,  "  don't  believe  him,  for  that's 
the  devil  tells  you  so,  for  you  are  the  best  boy  in  all 
our  street."  But  I  knew  I  was  told  the  truth  by 
conviction,  and  that  she  was  mistaken  :  for  I  plainly 
2 


14  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

understood  by  clear  conviction,  and  by  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures, which  I  had  been  trained  up  in  the  reading  of, 
that  I  was  too  vain  and  wanton ;  for  I  loved  music, 
dancing,  and  playing  at  cards,  and  too  much  delighted 
therein,  and  was  followed  with  the  judgments  of  God 
therefor  in  the  secret  of  my  soul.  What  I  did  in 
those  sports  and  games  I  always  took  care  to  do  out 
of  the  sight,  and  without  the  knowledge,  of  my  tender 
parents ;  for  I  was  afraid  of  their,  reproofs  and  cor- 
rections, the  which  I  was  sure  to  have,  if  they  had 
any  intelligence  of  it. 

I  remember  that,  unknown  to  my  parents,  I  had 
bought  a  pack  of  cards,  with  intent  to  make  use  of 
them  when  I  went  to  see  my  relations  in  the  country, 
where  there  was  liberty  in  the  family  so  to  do,  at  a 
place  called  Woodford,  about  seven  miles  from  London, 
where  I  got  leave  sometimes  to  go.  At  the  time  called 
Christmas,  I  went  to  see  them,  and  five  miles  on  my 
way  went  to  a  meeting,  at  a  town  called  Wanstead ; 
at  which  meeting  a  minister  of  Christ  declared  against 
the  evil  of  gaming,  and  particularly  of  cards;  and 
that  the  time  which  people  pretend  to  keep  holy  for 
Christ's  sake,  many  of  them  spend  mostly  in  wicked- 
ness, sports,  and  games ;  even  some  pretending  to  be 
religious;  and,  generally  speaking,  more  sin  and  evil 
is  committed  in  this  time  than  in  the  like  space  of 
time  in  all  the  year  besides ;  so  that  the  devil  is 
served  instead  of  honoring  Christ.  From  this  meet- 
ing at  Wanstead  I  went  to  the  house  of  my  relations, 
where  the  parson  of  the  next  parish  lodged  that  night, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  15 

who  used  to  play  cards  with  them  sometimes.  The 
time  drawing  near  that  we  were  to  go  to  our  games, 
my  uncle  called  to  the  doctor,  as  he  styled  him,  to 
me,  and  to  my  cousin,  to  come  and  take  a  game  at 
cards;  at  which  motidn  I  had  strong  convictions  upon 
me  not  to  do  it,  as  being  evil ;  and  I  secretly  cried  to 
the  Lord  to  keep  me  faithful  to  him ;  and  lifting  up 
my  eyes,  I  saw  a  Bible  lie  in  the  window,  at  the  sight 
of  which  I  was  glad.  I  took  it,  and  sat  down,  and 
read  to  myself,  greatly  rejoicing  that  I  was  preserved 
out  of  the  snare.  Then  my  uncle  called  again,  and 
said,  "  Come,  doctor,  you  and  I,  my  wife  and  daughter, 
will  have  a  game  at  cards,  for  I  see  my  cousin  is  better 
disposed."  Then  he  looked  upon  me,  and  said,  "  He 
was  better  disposed  also."  So  their  sport  for  that 
time  was  spoiled,  and  mine  in  that  practice  for  ever ; 
for  I  never,  as  I  remember,  played  with  them  more, 
but  as  soon  as  I  came  home,  offered  my  new  and  un- 
touched pack  of  cards  to  the  fire.  I  am  certain  the 
use  of  them  is  of  evil  consequence,  and  draws  away 
the  mind  from  heaven  and  heavenly  things ;  for  which 
reason  all  Christians  ought  to  shun  them  as  engines  of 
Satan ;  and  music  and  dancing  having  generally  the 
same  tendency,  ought  therefore  to  be  refrained  from. 
The  sentiments  of  the  Waldenses,  a  people  in  great 
esteem  among  Protestants,  are  worthy  the  considera- 
tion of  all  Christians ;  which  were,  "  That  as  many 
paces,  or  steps,  as  a  man  or  woman  takes  in  the  dance, 
so  many  paces  or  steps  they  take  towards  hell." 
I  very  well  remember  the  work  of  God  upon  my 


16  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

soul,  when  I  was  about  ten  years  of  age ;  and  par 
ticularly  at  a  certain  time  when  I  had  been  rebelling 
against  God  and  my  parents,  in  vanity  and  lightness : 
and  as  I  had  offended  both,  so  I  was  corrected  by  both : 
for  I  had  not  ou-y  felt  the  anger  of  my  parents,  but 
the  Lord  frowned  upon  me,  insomuch  that  I  trembled 
exceedingly,  and  was  as  though  I  heard  a  voice  say  to 
me,  "  What  will  become  of  thee  this  night,  if  I  should 
take  thy  life  from  thee  ?  "  At  which  I  was  amazed, 
and  in  great  fear.  Then  I  covenanted  with  God,  that 
if  he  would  be  pleased  to  spare  my  life, —  for  I  thought 
God  would  have  taken  it  from  me  that  very  moment, — 
I  would  be  more  sober,  and  mind  his  fear  more  than 
I  had  done  before. 

Nevertheless,  I  broke  covenant  with  God  my  Maker, 
my  adversary  tempting  me  so  to  do,  telling  me  I  was 
but  a  child,  and  it  was  natural  for  children  to  be  brisk 
and  play,  and  that  God  would  wink  at  my  childhood 
and  youth,  and  it  was  time  enough  for  me  when  a 
man  to  become  religious.  But  still  God  followed  me 
with  his  chastising  rod,  and  often  put  me  in  mind  of 
my  covenant  which  I  made  with  him  in  my  distress ; 
and  that  he  had  granted  the  request  I  then  made  to 
him ;  and  unless  I  would  take  up  a  cross  to  my  own 
corrupt  will  and  inclinations,  he  should  take  me  out 
of  the  world.  Then,  oh,  then  !  I  cried,  "  Lord,  help,  or 
I  die  !  Save  me,  or  I  perish  for  ever  !  I  cannot  keep 
thy  covenant,  nor  do  thy  will,  without  thy  help  and 
assistance ! "  And  indeed,  if  the  Lord  had  not  helped, 
I  had  b3en  undone  for  ever. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  17 

I  continued  bowed  down  in  my  mind,  calling  on  the 
Lord ;  thinking  and  meditating  on  heaven  and  heav- 
enly things :  but  as  I  am  sensible  I  had  an  inward 
enemy  that  always  sought  my  hurt  and  overthrow, 
I  have  cause  to  bless  God,  who  by  his  grace,  as  mine 
eye  was  turned  to  it,  helped  me  to  do  his  will,  as  he 
was  pleased  to  manifest  it  to  me,  so  that  thereby 
some  change  was  wrought  on  me  both  inwardly  and 
outwardly. 

I  then  began  to  delight  in  reading  and  sobriety, 
which  before  were  irksome  to  me :  and  when  I  read 
the  holy  Scriptures,  I  desired,  that  God  would  open 
them  to  my  understanding,  which  he  did  many  times 
to  my  edification.  I  also  begged  earnestly  of  the 
Lord,  that  he  would  be .  pleased  to  be  with  me,  and 
make  me  like  his  children  and  servants,  of  whom  I 
read  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  who  faithfully  served  him 
all  their  days.  And  when  I  read  of  the  crucifixion  of 
our  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  it  would 
break  my  soul  into  tenderness.  I  thought  it  was 
enough  to  awaken  and  humble  any  soul  that  was 
well  meaning,  and  had  any  sense  of  the  power,  love, 
and  grace  of  Christ.  Thus  I  went  on  for  several 
years,  feeling  that  peace  which  passeth  natural  un- 
derstanding, which  many  times  accompanied  my  poor 
a*hd  needy  soul :  and  being  advanced  to  about  fourteen 
or  fifteen  years  of  age,  I  remember  that  I  used  to 
shun  the  cross  of  speaking  in  the  plain  language, 
which  I  always  read  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  to  those 
whom  I  conversed  with,  except  my  father  and  mother, 


18  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

who  would  not  allow  me  to  speak  otherwise.  I  was 
convicted  in  my  conscience  that  it  was  not  right  to 
play  the  hypocrite  after  that  manner ;  and  on  a  certain 
time  I  had  occasion  to  speak  with  an  officer,  a  great 
man  in  our  neighborhood,  and  my  heart  moved  within 
me  for  fear  I  should  shun  the  cross  of  Christ;  for  it  was 
Christ's  language  to  all,  as  we  may  read  in  the  New 
Testament;  and  all  the  Scriptures,  from  Genesis  to  the 
Revelations,  speak  thee  and  thou  to  a  single  person. 

So  I  took  up  the  cross,  and  said  thee  to  him ;  and 
he  was  much  affronted,  and  said,  "  Thee  !  what  dost 
thou  thee  me  for  ?  "  I  soberly  asked  him  if  he  did  not 
say  thee  to  his  Maker  in  his  prayers  ?  and  whether 
he  was  too  good,  or  too  great,  to  be  spoken  to  in  the 
same  language  in  which  he  addressed  the  Almighty  ? 
To  this  he  made  no  reply,  but  seemed  to  fall  from  his 
passion  into  admiration,  as  one  smitten  in  himself. 
He  bore  me  respect  ever  after;  and  I  greatly  rejoiced 
that  I  was  preserved  faithful.  Though  it  may  look 
a  little  thing  to  some,  yet  I  found  it  good,  as  the 
Scripture  saith,  not  to  despise  the  day  of  small  things. 

About  the  twentieth  year  of  my  age  I  was  pressed 
and  carried  on  board  of  a  vessel  belonging  to  a  man- 
of-war.  I  was  put  down  into  the  hold  in  the  dark, 
not  having  anything  to  lie  upon  but  casks  :  and  what 
made  it  worse  to  me,  I  was  among  wicked,  debauched 
men ;  and  as  we  were  shut  up  in  darkness,  so  was 
their  conversation  dark  and  hellish.  In  the  morning, 
for  which  I  longed  more  than  the  watchman,  the  lieu- 
tenant called  us  up  on  deck,  and  examined  us,  whether 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  19 

we  were  willing  to  serve  the  king?  He  called  me  to 
him,  and  asked  me,  if  I  was  willing  to  serve  his  ma- 
jesty ?  I  answered,  that  I  was  willing  to  serve  him 
in  my  business,  and  according  to  my  conscience ;  but 
as  for  war  or  fighting,.  Christ  had  forbidden  it  in  his 
excellent  sermon  on  the  mount ;  and  for  that  reason 
I  could  not  bear  arms,  or  be  instrumental  to  destroy 
or  kill  men.  Then  the  lieutenant  looked  on  me  and 
on  the  people,  and  said,  "  Gentlemen,  what  shall  we 
do  with  this  fellow?  he  swears  he  will  not  fis;ht." 
The  commander  of  the  vessel  made  answer,  "  No,  no, 
he  will  neither  swear  nor  fight."  Upon  which  they 
turned  me  on  shore.  I  was  thankful  that  I  was  de- 
livered out  of  their  hands ;  and  my  tender  parents 
were  glad  to  see  me  again. 

As  I  grew  in  years,  the  world  began  to  take  too 
much  root  in  me ;  and  my  unwearied  enemy  would 
tell  me  that  it  was  lawful  enough ;  and  indeed  I  see 
that  he  hurts  many  with  lawful  things,  with  whom 
he  knoweth  unlawful  things  will  not  take ;  and  here 
I  had  been  lost,  if  God  had  not  been  gracious  to  me. 
But  He,  in  whose  presence  I  delighted,  withdrew,  and 
deprived  me  of  that  enjoyment  which  was  grateful 
and  comfortable  above  all  things  to  my  soul.  Then 
did  I  pray  with  tears,  Oh,  that  it  might  be  with  me 
as  it  was  at  other  times  before !  and  I  was  willing  to 
let  the  world  go,  rather  than  grace  and  God's  glory. 
The  Psalmist  saith,  "  No  good  thing  will  he  withhold 
from  them  that  walk  uprightly." 

About  this  time  there  was  a  great  concern  on  my 


20  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

mini,  rightly  to  distinguish  between  the  vo'ce  of 
Christ  and  the  whisperings  of  Satan  ;  and  thus  it 
opened  to  me  :  that  Christ,  the  truth,  always  speaketh 
good  and  for  a  good  end,  and  that  there  is  divine  life 
to  the  soul  in  this  speaking ;  but  the  devil  never 
speaks  good,  unless  sometimes  for  a  bad  end,  and 
then  not  good  in  reality,  only  colored  with  good  or 
a  fair  show. 

Keeping  under  this  exercise,  the  Lord  appeared  to 
me  again,  and  many  timest  refreshed  my  heart  with 
his  goodness.  When  I  was  in  my  business  amongst 
men,  I  witnessed  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  to  be 
near  me ;  which  was  more  to  me  than  all  the  world, 
or  the  riches,  glory,  and  beauty  of  it.  The  love  of 
God  being  so  sweet  to  my  soul  and  spirit ;  my  breath- 
ings, prayers,  and  supplications  were  to  the  Lord,  that 
my  neighbors,  acquaintance,  and  relations  might  also 
partake  of  the  like  precious  faith  and  love  which  I 
enjoyed ;  and  that  the  children  of  men  might  answer 
that  great  and  good  end  for  which  the  Lord  created 
them ;  which  is,  that  glory,  honor,  and  praise  might 
ascend  and  be  given  to  Him. 

I  had  such  a  sense  and  fear  of  dishonoring  God, 
that  I  often,  with  tears,  cried,  "  Never  let  me  live  to 
dishonor  thee.  Oh  !  it  had  been  better  for  me  that  I 
had  never  been  born,  than  that  I  should  live  to  dis- 
honor thee,  or  wilfully  reproach  the  name  of  Christ, 
who,  with  the  Father,  is  only  worthy  of  divine  honor." 

In  this  concern  I  felt  the  gospel  powe^  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  work  upon  my  soul,  and  the  Word  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  21 

God  was  as  a  seed  in  my  heart,  growing  and  opening 
in  me,  speaking  to  me,  and  making  my  understanding 
fruitful  in  the  things  of  his  kingdom;  and  in  that 
ability  which  was  given  me  of  God,  through  his  grace 
and  holy  Spirit,  I  exhorted  people  to  repentance  and 
amendment  of  life;  and  I  always  humbly  desired 
the  help  and  divine  influence  of  God's  eternal  Word 
therein.  Oh  !  I  did  fervently  pray  that  I  might 
minister  the  gospel  in  the  power  of  Jesus ;  for  I 
clearly  discerned,  in  the  light  of  the  Son  of  God, 
that  all  ministering  out  of  Christ's  power  was  neither 
edifying  nor  efficacious  unto,  souls :  therefore  I  did 
earnestly  beseech  God  for  the  continuance  of  the  gift 
of  his  Spirit,  that  I  might  be  enabled  to  preach  the 
gospel  in  the  power  of  Christ  Jesus.  The  concern 
that  was  upon  me  on  this  account  at  that  time,  is 
hard  to  be  expressed  in  words. 

The  latter  end  of  the  year  1695,  my  father  sent  me 
into  Essex  on  some  business,  and  when  I  had  accom- 
plished it,  I  visited  some  meetings  of  Friends  there, 
and  my  mind  being  much  affected  with  the  apprehen- 
sions of  an  impending  storm, —  the  nation  being  about 
this  time  threatened  with  an  invasion  from  France, 
in  favor  of  the  late  King  James,  so  that  there  was 
expectation  of  much  bloodshed  and  confusion  in  the 
land, —  I  wrote  a  letter  to  my  parents,  and  another  to 
Friends  of  the  Evening  Meeting  kept  weekly  at  my 
father's  house,  expressing  my  thankfulness  to  the 
Almighty,  in  the  remembrance  of  the  many  precious 
visitations  of  divine 'love   and   favor  we   had  been 


22  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

partakers  of,  uniting  our  hearts  to  him,  and  to  one 
another;  and  my  earnest  prayers  and  supplications, 
that  we  might  be  preserved  in  true  love,  and  the 
unity  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  bond  of  everlasting 
peace ;  and  that  the  world  might  be  made  sensible  of 
this  true  peace,  which  abounds  in  those  who  love  and 
fear  the  Lord,  and  truly  believe  in  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Ohi  surely,  they  would  then  depart  from  sin,  and 
abandon  iniquity,  by  which  they  incur  the  wrath  of 
the  Lord,  and  provoke  the  just  One  to  anger;  so  that 
the  line  of  confusion  seems  to  be  stretched  over  the 
city  and  nation,  and  the  eyes  of  the  faithful  see  it  to 
the  grief  of  their  souls.  Yet  the  mercy  of  the  Lord, 
even  of  the  just  God,  who  will  render  a  just  reward 
to  every  one  according  to  his  deeds  done  in  the  body, 
is  still  handed  forth  to  the  land.  Oh  !  that  the  inhab- 
itants thereof  would  consider  their  ways,  and  be  wise, 
and  turn  to  the  Lord  with  unfeigned  repentance,  while 
the  day  of  mercy  lasteth,  before  it  be  said,  Now  it  is 
hid  from  thine  eyes ;  for  the  Lord,  even  the  God  and 
Father  of  spirits,  hath  said,  "  My  spirit  shall  not 
always  strive  with  man,  for  that  he  also  is  flesh." 

On  the  expiration  of  my  apprenticeship,  having 
served  my  father  faithfully  seven  years,  I  entered 
more  strongly  into  covenant  with  my  heavenly  Father 
and  Master,  to  serve  him  all  my  days,  through  his 
assistance ;  and  was  soon  after  drawn  forth,  in  the 
spirit  and  love  of  Christ,  to  visit  the  meetings  of 
Friends  westward  from  London,  viz.,  through  Surry, 
Sussex,  Hampshire,  Wiltshire,  Devonshire,  and  Corn- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  23 

wall  to  the  Land's-end ;  in  which  journey  I  was  ac- 
companied by  William  Hornould.  At  one  of  our 
meetings  at  Falmouth,  in  Cornwall,  two  men  called 
gentlemen  came  from  the  inn  to  hear  the  strangers; 
and  after  meeting,  they  said  they  could  take  their 
oath  that  I  was  a  Jesuit,  and  that  they  had  heard 
me  preach  in  a  Romish  chapel  in  France ;  which  was 
utterly  false,  for  I  never  was  in  France.  Besides, 
had  I  been  a  Papist,  or  popishly  inclined,  which  I  was 
not,  I  was  too  young  to  be  a  Jesuit. 

Indeed,  I  thought  I  was  mean  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  but  the  good  Remembrancer  brought  those 
truths  to  my  remembrance,  which  strengthened  me  in 
the  work  and  service  of  God.  "  The  Spirit  breatheth 
where  it  listeth.  Out  of  the  mouths  of  babes  and 
sucklings  thou  hast  perfected  praise,"  etc.  We  having 
great  peace  in  our  labors  in  this  journey,  and  being 
edified  therewith,  returned  to  London,  after  about  four 
months  absence  from  home. 

After  J  had  been  two  weeks  at  home,  my  dear 
mother  departed  this  life,  in  a  sweet  frame  of  spirit, 
praising  the  Lord.  She  was  one  who  lived  the  life  of 
the  righteous,  and  whose  latter  end  was  like  theirs, 
and  left  a  good  report  behind  her,  being  well  beloved, 
I  think  I  may  safely  say,  by  all  our  neighbors ;  not 
only  by  those  of  our  own  society,  but  others  also,  to 
whom  she  was  often  very  helpful. 

I  went  to  my  calling  and  got  a  little  money,  a  little 
being  enough,  which  I  was  made  willing  to  spend 
freely  in  the  work  and  service  of  my  great  master, 


24  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

Christ  Jesus.  About  this  time  I  was  concerned  to 
travel  into  the  north  of  England,  and  part  of  Scot- 
land, which  I  did  in  that  ability  God  gave  me ;  and 
that  dispensation  which  I  had  freely  received,  I  freely 
handed  forth  to  the  people,  devoting  my  strength  and 
time  to  serve  Him  who  had  done  so  much  for  me ;  and  I 
had  the  satisfaction  to  find  divers  confessing  the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus.  In  this  journey  I  was  from  home 
about  four  months,  being  mostly  alone  as  to  any  yoke- 
fellow in  that  work,  travelling  many  hundreds  of  miles, 
as  far  as  Edinburgh,  in  Scotland,  where  -our  meeting 
was  in  the  street,  we  being  locked  out  of  our  meeting- 
house by  the  then  power,  and  great  numbers  of  people 
were  there.  This  news  being  carried  to  the  provost 
of  the  city,  he  said,  "  The  Quakers  would  do  more 
hurt  out  of  doors  than  within,"  and  he  ordered  Friends 
their  key.  Since  which  I  have  understood  that  Friends 
in  that  city  have  enjoyed  their  meetings  in  the  meeting- 
house; and  sometimes  when  the  rabble  have  disturbed 
Friends,  the  magistrates  have  sent  officers  to  disperse 
them. 

After  I  had  visited  the  churches  of  Christ  in  divers 
parts  of  England,  and  had  many  sweet  seasons  of 
God's  love,  and  many  good  opportunities  with  my 
Friends  and  others  in  this  nation ;  the  word  of  life 
being  declared  in  the  simplicity  of  the  gospel,  in 
several  places  people  were  ver}'  open-hearted,  and 
received  the  testimony  of  it  with  gladness.  After  I 
had  been  at  my  father's,  and  at  my  calling,  a  little 
after  this  north-country  journey,  I  found  myself  en* 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  25 

gaged  in  the  love  of  the  gospel  to  visit  Friends  in 
America ;  and  having  acquainted  my  friends  and  re- 
lations of  my  mind,  they  being  willing  to  give  me 
up,  in  order  for  the  voyage,  Friends  of  the  Monthly 
Meeting  gave  me  a  certificate,  and  I  had  another  from 
the  meeting  of  the  ministers  in  London. 

My  father,  and  several  other  Friends  with  me,  took 
boat  from  London,  and  accompanied  me  to  Gravesend, 
on  the  21st  of  the  Tenth  month,  1697.  I  went  on 
board  the  ship  Josiah,  Thomas  Lurting,  master,  and 
sailed  that  day  from  Gravesend,  and  got  to  the 
Downs  the  next  day,  where  we  tarried  some  days 
for  a  fair  wind ;  in  which  time  several  others,  who 
were  concerned  in  the  same  gospel  labor,  came  on 
board,  viz.,  Thomas  Turner,  William  Ellis,  and  Aaron 
Atkinson.  In  about  four  days'  time  the  wind  was 
fair  for  us,  and  we  set  sail,  and  in  a  little  time  we 
got  out  of  sight  of  the  land ;  soon  after  which  the 
wind  was  contrary,  and  we  proceeded  but  a  small  dis- 
tance for  several  weeks ;  the  weather  was  rough  and 
the  sea  boisterous,  so  that  with  the  motion  thereof 
most  of  the  passengers  were  sick.  In  this  time  we 
lost  a  lad,  who  fell  into  the  sea  as  he  was  drawing  a 
bucket  of  water,  and  was  drowned ;  the  ship  running 
swiftly,  he  could  not  be  saved,  although  it  was  speedily 
endeavored.  Several  others  died  before  we  got  over ; 
but  for  the  most  part  we  were  healthful.  The  Lord 
be  praised,  he  was,  is,  and  will  be  with  those  who  faith- 
fully serve  him  to  the  end.       « 

There  were  three  ships  in  company,  but  by  the  dis- 
8 


26  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

tress  of  weather,  soon  after  we  came  out,  we  parted. 
After  we  had  been  at  sea  about  eight  weeks,  on  the 
25th  of  the  Twelfth  month  we  saw  two  vessels  astern 
of  us.  One  of  them  came  up  with  us,  and  the  people 
hailed  us,  and  told  us  they  came  from  Bristol,  and  had 
been  out  ten  weeks.  The  other  came  up  with  us  next 
day.  The  people  informed  us  they  had  been  at  sea 
seven  weeks,  and  had  had  a  dreadful  time  of  it.  She 
had  lost  part  of  her  topmast,  and  her  spritsail  topmast 
was  gone.  She  was  a  new  ship,  and  never  at  sea 
before,  belonging  to  London,  and  bound  for  Virginia, 
as  near  as  we  could  understand.  Our  ship  lost  none 
of  her  tackling,  through  the  great  mercy  of  God  to 
us,  though  the  wind  and  sea  were  wonderfully  high 
at  times ;  the  mate  told  me,  I  might  go  to  sea  all  my 
life,  and  not  see  the  like :  he  said  he  had  been  at,  or 
used  to,  the  sea  for  twenty  years,  and  never  saw  it  so 
rough  and  high  before.  We  had  meetings  twice  a 
week,  several  of  which  were  comfortable  and  refresh- 
ing, to  which  most  of  the  passengers,  being  in  all 
about  sixty,  sometimes  came ;  and  several  of  them 
were  affected  with  the  sense  of  truth,  and  the  Lord 
strengthened  our  faith  and  hope  in  him. 

Oh  !  forever  blessed  be  the  living  and  eternal  God, 
who  kept  my  soul  above  the  fear  of  death,  hell,  and 
the.  grave ;  for  my  trust  was  in  him,  and  he  did  bear 
up  my  spirit  above  the  waves  of  the  sea;  and  in  the 
time  of  tossing  with  tempests,  I  was  comforted  and 
cheerful,  praising  the  Lord  in  my  heart,  both  in  the 
daytime  and  in  the  night  season. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  27 

I  was  much  concerned  in  my  mind  for  many  of  the 
passengers,  who,  with  the  second  mate  and  several 
of  the  seamen,  were  very  sick,  and  by  some  were 
thought  near  unto  death.  I  cried  to  the  Lord,  in 
the  name  of  his  dear  Son,  to  heal  them,  and  that  it 
might  be  a  means  to  convince-  them  of  the  efficacy 
of  love  to,  and  faith  in  Christ  Jesus,  the  physician 
of  value ;  and  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  heal  them. 
The  mate  of  the  ship  desired  that  I  would  come  and 
pray  by  him.  I  went  to  him,  and  prayed  in  the 
power  and  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the 
Lord  helped  him,  that  he  said'  he  was  fine  and  easy, 
and  thanked  me  for  my  love ;  and  in  a  little  time  he 
recovered.  Several  others  of  the  seamen  and  passen- 
gers I  was  instrumental  to  help  in  their  sickness. 
The  Lord  blessed  my  endeavors  in  supplicating  him 
on  their  behalf,  and  administering  what  I  had  to 
them.  One  of  the  seamen  said,  he  was  bound  to 
pray  for  me  as  long  as  he  lived,  and  that  the  Lord 
would  bless  me.  Another  of  the  passengers  said, 
that  I  was  the  blessed  doctor;  for  there  was  not  a 
surgeon  or  doctor  in  the  ship.  I  was  very  free  to 
communicate  of  what  I  had  to  any  sick  person  in  the 
ship,  and  several  blessed  the  Lord  on  my  behalf.  In- 
deed, I  thought  I  could  scarcely  do  enough  for, any 
that  were  in  distress.  I  write  not  thus  that  I  may 
seem  popular,  but  with  my  mind  bowed  before  the 
Lord.  Many  times  in  this  voyage  there  were  con- 
sultations in  my  mind,  whether  I  had  best  write  a 
memorandum  hereof;  but  at  last,  conceiving  in  my 


28  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

spirit  that  it  might  strengthen  and  excite  love  to 
God,  and  faith  in  his  beloved  Son,  in  true  believers, 
I  wrote  as  aforesaid ;  and  then  I  was  satisfied,  and 
gave  the  glory  to  God. 

Before  we  came  to  the  land,  we  saw  a  ketch,  which 
had  saved  the  lives  of  some  who  belonged  to  a  ship 
that  was  a  little  before  foundered  in  the  sea;  who 
said  also,  that  a  fleet  of  New  England  ships  which 
had  been  upon  that  coast,  by  stormy  weather  were 
forced  to  Barbadoes.  Within  a  few  days  after,  we 
saw  the  land  of  Virginia,  and  also  a  New  England 
ship,  which  sailed  from  England  three  weeks  before 
us.  We  arrived  within  the  Capes  of  Virginia  the  31st 
of  the  First  month,  1698,  and  overtook  the  John  and 
Margaret,  a  ship  that  came  out  of  the  English  Channel 
with  us, —  the  master,  Thomas  Salmon,  being  dead. 
Next  day  we  anchored  our  ship  at  the  mouth  of 
Patuxent  river,  in  Maryland,  where  our  boats  were 
hoisted  out,  and  we  were  rowed  up  Patuxent  river 
twelve  miles,  to  Arthur  Young's  house,  where  we 
lodged  that  night ;  and  for  our  preservation  and 
safe  arrival  we  blessed  the  Lord  our  God,  and  my 
spirit  praised  Him  who  lives  forever  and  ever.  Our 
voyage  was  above  twelve  weeks,  it  being  then  winter 
tim#,  and  for  the  most  part  the  winds  so  high  that 
the  ship  could  carry  but  little  sail,  which  made  our 
voyage  the  longer. 

About  four  days  after  we  landed,  we  had  a  meeting 
near  Patuxent  river;  and  a  blessed  one  it  was !  When 
it  was  ended,  we  went  that  night  to  Daniel  Eawling's, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  29 

and  from  thence  to  the  Cliffs,  to  Kichard  Johns',  a 
Friend  who  came  with  us  from  England,  at  whose 
house  we  had  a  meeting,  wherein  God's  presence  was 
powerfully  felt.  We  had  several  meetings  on  that 
side  the  bay  called  the  Westernshore,  and  then  we 
sailed  over  to  the  east  side  of  Chesapeake  bay,  with 
Thomas  Everden,  in  his  sloop ;  went  to  his  house  and 
had  a  meeting,  where  many  people  came.  Here  we 
met  with  our  friends,  Jonathan  Tyler,  Henry  Payton, 
and  Henry  Payton 's  sister.  While  I  was  at  this 
Friend's  house,  one  Robert  Cathing,  being  very  ill, 
sent  for  Thomas  Everden,  and  he,  not  being  very  well, 
desired  me  to  visit  the  sick  person.  So  I  went,  and 
the  man  was  near  to  death.  Howbeit,  he  said  he  was 
comforted  much  with  the  visit,  and  that  he  never  had 
received  so  much  benefit  by  the  parish  priest,  although, 
said  he,  it  cost  me  dear  for  what  I  had ;  and  if  ever  I 
live  to  get  over  it,  by  the  assistance  of  God,  I  shall 
have  nothing  to  do  with  them  more.  But  he  said 
he  should  not  live  three  days.  And  before  the  end 
of  three  days  he  expired.  He  desired,  if  I  were 
not  gone,  that  I  would  be  at  his  funeral.  On  notice 
hereof,  about  ten  Friends  went ;  and  there  were  a 
great  many  people,  among  whom  we  had  a  good 
opportunity,  and  many  weighty  truths  were  opened 
to  them  in  the  love  of  God ;  and  some  of  them  were 
tender,  and  wept ;  and  the  most,  if  not  all,  I  think  I 
may  say,  were  solid  and  weighty. 

From  Thomas  Everden's  we  went  to  George  Truit's, 
at  whose  house  we  had  a  meeting.     This  Friend  and 
3« 


30  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

I  went  to  an  Indian  town  not  far  from  his  house, 
because  I  had  a  desire  to  see  these  people,  having 
never  seen  any  of  them  before.  When  we  came  to 
the  town,  they  were  kind  to  us,  spoke  well  of  Friends, 
and  said  they  would  not  cheat  them,  as  some  others  did. 
From  George  Truit's,  in  Maryland,  we  went  down 
to  Virginia;  and  in  Accomack  and  Northampton  coun- 
ties had  large  meetings.  I  hope  they  were  effectual 
to  many,  and  I  think  my  hope  is  not  without  ground. 
In  those  parts  we  had  several  meetings,  where  we 
were  informed  Friends  had  not  had  any  before.  And 
really  I  cannot  but  bless  the  Lord  for  the  opportuni- 
ties we  had  with  the  people ;  for  the  goodness  of  God, 
through  Christ  our  Lord,  was  great,  both  to  us  and 
them,  and  with  tears  they  did  acknowledge  the  truth. 
Thomas  Turner,  who  had  hitherto  accompanied  me, 
went  by  the  sea-side,  the  nearest  way  to  Philadelphia, 
and  afterwards  I  had  a  meeting  at  George  Truit's 
brother's,  and  on  the  First  day,  another  near  the 
court-house,  and  went  to  Thomas  Everden's,  and  so 
to  Leven  Denwood's,  and  thence  to  Nanticoke.  river, 
and  visited  Friends  up  the  bay  until  I  came  to  the 
river  Choptank,  about  which  there  are  many  Friends. 
I  went  on  and  took  the  meetings  till  I  came  to  Phila- 
delphia, in  and  about  which  place,  and  in  other  parts 
of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania,  I  had  many  large 
and  precious  meetings,  the  power  of  the  eternal  Son 
of  God  being  wonderful;  in  which  power  we  many 
times  blessed  his  name  together.  It  was  much  in 
my  heart  to  exhort  Friends  to  love  God  and  to  be 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  31 

at  unity  one  with  another,  without  which  there  is  no 
fulfilling  the  law  or  gospel.  There  are  many  Friends 
in  that  province,  and  many  sober  young  people,  which 
greatly  rejoiced  my  spirit,  so  that  for  their  encourage- 
ment the  Lord  opened  my  mouth  in  a  prophetic  man- 
ner to  declare  unto  them  the  blessings  which  he  had 
in  store  for  them,  on  condition  of  their  walking  in  the 
truth.  Glory  to  God  on  high  !  untruth  decays  and 
the  branches  of  it  mightily  wither ;  the  darkness  is 
much  past,  and  the  true  light  shineth  gloriously  in 
many  souls.  Oh !  powerful  praises  be  given  to  God, 
who  is  light  forever. 

From  Philadelphia  I  went  to  Burlington  and  to 
Crosswic^s,  where  we  had  a  large  meeting  under  the 
trees,  and  some  were  convinced  of  the  truth.  From 
hence  I  went  to  Shrewsbury  and  had  meetings ;  then 
to  Woodbridge,  Staten  Island,  and  Long  Island,  being 
accompanied  by  several  Friends.  On  Long  Island  we 
had  several  large  and  good  meetings,  wherein  Christ 
was  preached  freely ;  and  after  we  had  been  two  weeks 
there,  we  went  on  board  a  sloop  bound  for  Khode 
Island,  and  by  the  way  we  touched  at  Fisher's  and 
Block  islands,  and  on  the  First  day  morning  we  set 
sail  from  Block  Island  to  Khode  Island,  the  Yearly 
Meeting  being  just  over  when  we  got  there.  That 
evening  we  sailed  over  to  Connanicut  Island,  and  on 
the  Third  day  of  the  week  had  a  meeting  there. 
From  thence  we  went  over  to  Narraganset  and  had 
a  meeting,  and  back  to  Khode  Island,  where  Kuth 
Fry,  a  sober  young  woman,  was  convinced  and  re- 


32  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

mained  a  Friend  till  her  death.  Here  I  met  with 
several  travelling  Friends.  From  this  island  we  went 
to  the  main,  and  had  a  large  meeting  on  First  day,  at 
a  place  called  Greenwich.  It  was  thought  there  were 
about  five  hundred  people  present,  and  many  of  them 
were  tender.  We  went  the  same  night  to  the  island ; 
and  after  several  open  times  with  Friends  and  others 
on  PJiode  Island,  about  twelve  Friends  of  that  island 
went  with  me  to  Warwick  and  Providence  Yearly 
Meetings.  We  set  sail  about  noon,  and  having  but 
little  wind,  it  was  late  in  the  night  before  we  got 
there,  and  very  dark,  insomuch  that  we  could  neither 
see  nor  know  one  another,  only  by  our  speech,  and 
the  darkness  occasioned  us  to  run  our  vessel  against 
the  rocks ;  but  at  last  we  got  ashore  with  our  horses, 
and  after  going  over  a  very  dirty  slough,  entered  a 
dismal  wilderness.  These  difficulties  occasioned  our 
not  getting  to  the  Friend's  house  till  the  next  day, 
which  being  the  last  day  in  ^he  week,  we  had  a 
meeting ;  and  on  the  First  day  also  we  had  a  very 
large  and  satisfactory  meeting.  Many  of  us  were  so 
united  in  the  love  of  God,  that  it  was  hard  to  part 
one  from  another. 

From  Providence  I  went  to  Boston  and  Salem, 
where  I  had  meetings,  and  from  thence  to  Hampton. 
In  those  parts  God  Almighty  hath  shortened  the 
power  of  persecutors,  and  brought  his  righteous  judg- 
ments upon  them  for  their  unrighteousness.  Oh !  that 
New  England's  professors  might  live  in  the  sense  of 
the  same,  and  repent.     I  being  a  stranger  and  trav- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  33 

eller,  could  not  but  observe  the  barbarous  and  un- 
christian-like welcome  I  had  in  Boston,  the  metropolis 
of  New  England.  Oh  !  what  a  pity  it  was,  said  one, 
that  all  of  your  Society  were  not  hanged  with  the 
other  four  !  *  In  the  eastern  part  of  New  England 
God  hath  a  seed  left  of  his  people. 

From  thence  I  returned  in  order  to  get  a  passage 
to  the  isle  of  Nantucket;  and  from  a  place  called 
Cushnet  we  sailed  over  to  the  said  island  in  about 
ten  hours,  where  we  tarried  several  days  and  had  five 
meetings.  The  people  generally  acknowledged  to 
the  truth,  and  many  of  them  were  tender-hearted. 
Some  of  the  ancient  people  said,  it  was  never  known 
that  so  many  people  were  together  on  the  island  at 
once.  After  the  first  meeting  was  over,  one  asked 
the  minister,  so  called,  whether  we  might  have  a 
meeting  at  his  house  ?  He  said,  with  a  good  will,  we 
might.  This  minister  had  some  discourse  with  me, 
and  asked,  What  induced  me  to  come  hither,  being 
such  a  young  man  ?  I  told  him  I  had  no  other  view 
in  coming  there  than  the  good  of  souls,  and  that  I 
could  say  with  the  apostle,  a  necessity  was  laid  upon 
me,  and  woe  would  be  to  me  if  I  did  not  preach  the 
gospel.  Then,  said  he,  I  wish  you  would  preach  at 
my  house  in  God's  name.  So  next  day  we  had  a 
meeting  at  his  house ;  and  on  First  day  we  had  the 
largest  meeting  that  we  had  on  the  island.  It  was 
thought  there  were  above  two  hundred  people.     The 

*  Marmaduke  Stevenson,  William  Robinson,  Mary  Dyer,  and 
William  Ledra,  who  were  put  to  death  in  1659  and  1660. 


34  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Lord  in  his  power  did  make  his  truth  known  to  tha 
praise  of  his  name.  Oh  !  how  was  my  soul  concerned 
for  that  people !  The  Lord  Jesus  did  open  my  heart 
to  them,  and  theirs  to  him.  They  were  also  loving 
and  kind  to  us.  The  chief  magistrate  of  the  island 
desired  that  I  would  have  a  meeting  at  his  house, 
there  being  no  settled  meeting  of  Friends  before  I 
came;  and  after  meeting  he  disputed  with  me  about 
religion.  I  thought  we  were  both  but  poor  dispu- 
tants ;  and  cannot  remember  all  that  passed  between 
us,  but  that  in  the  close  of  our  dispute  he  said,  "I  dis- 
puted with  your  friends  in  Barbadoes,  and  they  told 
me  that  we  must  eat  the  spiritual  flesh,  and  drink 
the  spiritual  blood  of  Christ;  and,"  said  the  governor, 
"  did  ever  any  one  hear  of  such  flesh  and  blood ;  for  is 
it  not  a  contradiction  in  nature,  that  flesh  and  blood 
should  be  spiritual?"  "Oh,  surely!"  said  I,  "the 
governor  has  forgotten  himself;  for  what  flesh  and 
blood  was  that  which  Christ  said,  '  Except  ye  eat  my 
flesh,  and  drink  my  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in  you  '  ?  " 
"  Why,"  said  he,  "  I  do  not  think  they  were  to  gnaw  it 
from  his  arms  and  shoulders."  I  then  told  him  he  had 
answered  himself;  and  thus  our  dispute  ended.  From 
that  time  forward  they  have  continued  a  meeting,  and 
there  is  now  a  meeting-house  and  a  Yearly  Meeting 
for  worship ;  it  is  a  growing  meeting  to  this  day,  and 
several  public  Friends  are  raised  up  amongst  them, 
who  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  freely. 

At  this  time  a  Friend  was  convinced  whose  name 
wa3  Starbuck,  who  became  very  serviceable  on  that 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.     '  35 

island,  and  lived  and  died  an  eminent  minister  of 
Christ.  Several  scores  of  the  people  accompanied  us 
to  the  water-side ;  and  when  we  embarked  on  board 
our  sloop,  they  desired  that  I  would  come  and  visit 
them  again.  I  recommended  them  to  the  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus,  and  we  parted  in  great  love  and  ten- 
derness. In  the  evening  of  the  next  day  we  got  to 
the  main  land,  where  we  were  gladly  received.  Now 
it  was  in  my  heart  again  to  visit  the  eastern  parts  of 
New  England  before  I  left  America;  therefore  I  went 
to  Boston  Yearly  Meeting,  thence  to  Lynn  and  Salem, 
where  we  had  a  sweet  comfortable  time ;  likewise  to 
the  Yearly  Meetings  at  Dover,  and  to  Piscataway, 
where  we  had  several  meetings,  which  were  profitable 
opportunities  to  many.  From  Piscataway,  James 
Goodbridge  and  I  went  over  to  the  isle  of  Shoals. 
We  had  with  us  a  church-member  of  the  Presbyte- 
rians, whose  brother  invited  her  over  with  us  to  the 
said  island,  to  the  meeting  which  was  at  his  house ; 
and  while  he  was  talking  with  her  in  the  yard  or  gar- 
den, I  saw  a  bible  and  took  it  and  read  therein. 
"When  she  came  into  the  house,  she  asked  me,  What 
I  did  with,  that  book?  I  told  her,  if  she  was  of- 
fended, I  would  lay  it  down.  No,  no,  said  she,  do  not 
think  to  come  off  so,  for  you  disown  or  deny  that 
book.  I  told  her  she  was  mistaken  ;  and  asked  who 
told  her  so.  Why,  said  she,  our  minister  in  his  pulpit. 
I  replied,  that  it  was  a  great  abuse  upon  us,  for  I 
had  been  trained  up  from  my  childhood  in  the  read- 
ing and  belief  of  the  Scriptures,  and  my  father  and 


36  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

mother  were  Friends,  that  is,  Quakers.     She,  willing 
to  try  me  further,  said,  Did  your  father  and  mother 
suffer  you  to  read  the  bible  when  you  were  a  little 
boy  ?     Yes,  said  I,  and  gave  me  correction  when  I 
was  not  so  willing  to  read  therein  as  they  would  have 
me.     Then,  said  she,  our  minister  has  belied  you ; 
and  since  you  say  so,  if  it  please  God,  I  will  go  and 
hear  you.     She  went  with  us  to  meeting ;  and  after  it 
was  over,  one  asked  her  how  she  would  answer  it  to 
their  minister  for  going  to  meetings  ?     She  replied,  it 
was  truth  she  had  heard,  and  she  would  stand  by  it, 
through  the  grace  of  Christ,  and  need  not  be  ashamed 
of  it,  though  we   are  of  ourselves   but   poor  weak 
creatures.     This  woman  was  sober  and  religious,  and 
one  of  good  report.     By  the  foregoing  we  may  see 
how  slanders  flow  from  some  pulpits :  the  more  is  the 
shame  and  pity.     We  went  on  and  preached  the  gos- 
pel of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  in  that  ability  he  gave 
us,  with  which  the  people  were  affected,  and  would 
have  had  us  tarry  longer,  but  we  could  not,  although 
they  much  importuned  us,  because  we  had  appointed 
a   meeting   at  Oyster   river.     After  having  several 
meetings  about  Piscataway  and  Dover,  we  went  to 
Hampton,  where  we  had  meetings;  and  at  Salisbury 
we  had  a  large  open  meeting,  of  about  three  hundred 
people,  as  it  was  supposed,  which  was  at  this  time 
accounted  a  great  concourse  of  people  thereabouts. 
At  Jamaica  and  Haverhill  also  we  had  meetings,  and 
from  thence  went  to  Salem  and  Lynn  again,  where 
we  had  good  service  for  Truth ;  and  then  to  Boston, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  37 

and  had  a  meeting  at  the  meeting-house,  and  another 
at  a  Friend's  house  in  the  evening,  at  which  there 
were  many  people.  From  Boston  I  went  to  visit 
friends  about  Cape  Cod,  till  I  came  again  to  Rhode 
Island.  By  the  way  I  met  with  Aaron  Atkinson, 
who  was  on  a  visit  to  Friends  in  New  England.  I 
had  several  good  opportunities  and  powerful  meetings 
in  those  parts,  and  truth  wrought  a  tenderness  in 
divers  at  Rhode  Island.  The  presence  of  Him  who 
said,  "  "Where  two  or  three  are  met  together  in  my 
name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them,"  being  sen- 
sibly witnessed  by  many ;  for  He  was  with  us  of  a 
truth.  From  thence  I  went  round  the  Narraganset 
country,  and  had  meetings  at  several  places,  and  was 
accompanied  by  John  Rodman  and  William  Beackley, 
through  Connecticut  to  Long  Island,  which  is  ac- 
counted two  hundred  miles.  We  had  one  meeting  by 
the  way,  in  which  Christ,  the  Light  of  the  world,  was 
preached  to  the  people,  at  a  place  where  we  were  told 
there  had  never  been  a  Friends'  meeting  before.  I 
came  to  Long  Island  about  two  weeks  before  the  Gen- 
eral Meeting,  and  visited  Friends  in  several  places  on 
this  island,  as  at  Hempstead,  Jerusalem,  Jericho,  and 
Bethpage,  where  there  were  large  meetings,  and  much 
openness  among  the  people,  and  some  were  convinced. 
We  had  a  meeting  at  a  place  called  Matinicock,  where 
I  met  with  some  of  the  people  called  Ranters,  who 
disturbed  our  meeting.  I  may  say  as  the  apostle 
Paul,  only  altering  Ephesus  to  Matinicock,  that  I 
fought  with  beasts  there.     I  travelled  to  New  York, 

4 


38  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

where  we  had  two  meetings ;  from  thence  we  went  to 
the  Jerseys,  and  had  several  serviceable  meetings; 
and  so  to  Pennsylvania,  where  there  are  many  very 
large  meetings  of  Friends,  and  the  Lord  is  with  his 
people,  and  prospereth  them  spiritually  and  tem- 
porally. Here  I  met  with  my  dear  friend  William 
Ellis.  From  Philadelphia,  Eichard  Gove,  of  that  city, 
and  I  travelled  to  Maryland,  and  visited  Friends  on 
the  Western  Shore  and  to  Virginia.  In  Virginia, 
near  James  River,  I  met  with  an  aged  Friend  whose 
name  was  William  Porter :  he  was  ninety-two  years 
of  age.*  We  had  several  meetings  there  amongst 
Friends  and  others,  many  being  well  satisfied  con- 
cerning the  truth,  and  spoke  well  of  it. 

After  we  had  had  several  good  and  open  meetings 
in  Virginia,  we  found  ourselves  clear  of  America, 
and  in  order  for  our  passage,  agreed  with  our  friend 
F.  Johnson,  of  the  "  Elizabeth  and  Mary,"  to  carry  us 
for  England. 

*  I  saw  him  some  years  after,  and  he  was  weeding  Indian 
corn  with  a  hoe.  He  was  then  about  one  hundred  and  six 
years  of  age,  and  had  upwards  of  seventy  children,  grand- 
children, and  great-grand-children.  Divers  Friends  of  us  went 
to  see  him,  and  he  preached  to  us  a  short,  but  very  affecting 
sermon,  which  was,  as  near  as  I  remember,  thus:  "Friends, 
you  are  come  to  see  me  in  the  love  of  God  ;  God  is  love,  and 
those  that  dwell  in  God,  dwell  in  love ;  I  thank  God  I  feel  his 
divine  life  every  day  and^  every  night."  He  died,  aged  one 
hundred  and  seven  years. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  39 


CHAPTER    II. 

1699-1706. 

Embarks  for  England — Incidents  of  Voyage  —  The  Doctor's 
Dream — The  Doctor  Drowned — Arrives  at  Plymouth  —  London 
Yearly  Meeting  —  Marriage  —  Remarkable  Exercise  of  his  Wife 

—  Visits  Ireland —  Removes  to  America —  Imminent  Danger  near 
Goodwin  Sands  —  Return  to  Deal  —  Sail  again  —  Terrible  Storm 

—  Land  in  Maryland — Settles  at  Philadelphia  —  Visits  Barba- 
does  — Conversation  with  the  Governor —  Returns  Home  —  Visit 
to  the  South — Visits  New  England  —  Cruelties  of  Indians  — 
Preservation  of  Friends  —  Remarkable  Account   by  Mary  Doe 

—  Return  Home  —  Visits  New  Jersey,  Maryland,  etc.  — Dispute 
with  a  Priest. 

On  the  11th  of  the  First  month,  1698-99,  we  were 
accompanied  on  board  by  several  Friends,  who  abode 
with  us  all  night ;  and  the  next  day  being  the  First 
day  of  the  week,  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting,  and 
then  parted  in  much  love,  having  the  evidence  of  the 
power  of  the  Almighty  with  us.  We  waited  for  a 
fair  wind  until  the  20th  of  the  aforesaid  month,  and 
left  the  Capes  of  Virginia  that  day,  and  at  night  got 
our  ship  into  a  sailing  posture ;  and  I  was  glad  in  my 
spirit  that  I  was  setting  my  face  towards  my  native 
land ;  and  more  glad  that  I  was  returning  with  peace 
in  my  bosom.     The  power  and  presence  of  Him  who 


40  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

said,  "  Go,  teach  all  nations,"  was  sweet  to  my  soul  at 
that  time,  and  now  in  some  measure  I  enjoyed  the 
fruits  of  having  labored  in  that  ability  which  God 
had  given  to  me.  Glory  to  God,  through  Christ,  who 
is  worthy  for  ever !  The  presence  of  God  was  with 
us  on  the  great  ocean,  and  we  were  wonderfully 
strengthened  through  his  goodness.  "We  had  several 
good  meetings  on  board  our  ship,  and  were  very 
largely  opened  in  the  love  of  God  to  the  poor  seamen. 
When  we  launched  forth  into  the  deep,  there  were 
several  ships  in  company ;  but  we  had  been  but  a 
little  time  at  sea,  before  we  lost  sight  of  them  all. 
Several  ships  passed  by  us  about  a  week  after  we 
sailed ;  and  about  this  time  we  saw  a  very  large 
whale,  which  lifted  itself  partly  out  of  the  water, 
with  its  mouth  open,  which  looked  like  the  entrance 
of  a  large  cave.  We  likewise  saw  several  other  large 
sea-fish,  such  as  grampuses,  sharks,  etc.,  all  of  which 
show  forth  the  wondrous  works  of  the  great  Creator 
pf  all  things.  Elizabeth  Webb  and  Elizabeth  Lloyd 
went  over  with  us  in  this  vessel,  both  virtuous  women. 
For  about  two  weeks  the  winds  were  mostly  fair,  in 
which  time  we  got  finely  on  our  way ;  but  for  above 
a  week  afterwards  the  winds  were  mostly  contrary, 
and  the  ship  had  a  great  motion,  which  caused  some 
of  us  to  be  sea-sick,  especially  Elizabeth  Lloyd,*  who 

*  She  was  the  daughter  of  Thomas  Lloyd,  late  Deputy- 
Governor  of  Pennsylvania.  She  lived  and  died  a  virtuous 
■woman,  and,  I  think,  generally  beloved  by  all  who  were  ac- 
quainted with  her.     When  she  died  she  was  the  wife  of  Daniel 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  41 

was  but  weakly.  One  night  our  sailors  thought  that 
an  enemy  or  pirate  was  near  us,  as  a  vessel  fired  two 
guns  and  passed  by  us ;  but  it  being  night,  we  could 
not  certainly  know  what  she  was.  I  rather  judged  it 
,  might  be  some  ship  in  distress,  for  that  evening  we 
saw  one  of  the  ships  that  came  out  with  us,  and  the 
next  morning  we  could  see  none  at  all,  and  there  was 
hardly  any  wind  that  night,  so  I  feared  that  our  com- 
panion had  sprung  a  leak  and  foundered ;  and  when 
I  told  our  master  my  opinion,  he  said  he  feared  the 
same  likewise.  For  nearly  two  weeks'  time  we  beat 
about  the  sea,  and  made  little  progress.  Howbeit, 
we  had  several  good  meetings,  wherein  we  gave  glory 
to  God,  our  Saviour ;  and  forever  let  it  ascend  to  him 
over  all,  saith  my  soul !  Contrary  winds  are  com- 
monly tedious  at  sea,  but  especially  to  those  that 
know  not  where  to  stay  their  minds ;  but  there  being 
several  Friends  of  us  on  board,  we  had  oftentimes 
good  meetings ;  and  if  any  of  our  ship's  company 
came  to  meeting,  they  always  were  sober  and  some- 
times tender ;  and  truly  God's  love  was  extended 
towards  them.  When  it  was  not  our  meeting-days, 
we  spent  not  our  time  idly,  but  for  the  most  part  in 
reading  the  holy  Scriptures,  writing,  etc.,  in  which 
we  were  at  seasons  greatly  refreshed,  strengthened, 
and  comforted.  Oh !  my  soul !  glorify  God  thy  Maker, 
and  Christ  thy  Saviour,  for  ever,  in  the  sense  of  his 
goodness  and  mercy,  both  by  sea  and  land,  by  night 

Zachary,  a  merchant  of  Boston,  New  England,  and  was  well 
known  and  much  beloved  there  for  her  piety  and  virtue. 
4* 


42  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  by  day  !  After  we  had  been  almost  seven  weeks 
at  sea,  we  thought  that  we  were  near  the  land,  but 
we  sounded  several  days  and  found  no  bottom,  although 
we  let  out  abundance  of  line,  I  think  above  three  hun- 
dred yards. 

About  this  time  our  doctor  dreamed  a  dream,  which 
he  related  to  me,  to  this  effect :  he  said  "  He  dreamed 
that  he  went  on  shore  at  a  great  and  spacious  town, 
the  buildings  whereof  were  high,  and  the  streets 
broad ;  and  as  he  went  up  the  street  he  saw  a  large 
sign,  on  which  was  written,  in  great  golden  letters, 
shame.  At  the  door  of  the  house  to  which  the  sign 
belonged,  stood  a  woman  with  a  can  in  her  hand,  who 
said  to  him,  'Doctor,  will  you  drink?'  He  replied, 
'  With  all  my  heart,  for  I  have  not  drank  anything 
but  water  a  great  while,'  (our  wine  and  cider  being  all 
spent,  having  had  a  long  passage;)  and  he  drank  a 
hearty  draught,  which  he  said  made  him  merry.  He 
went  up  the  street  reeling  to  and  fro,  when  a  grim 
fellow  coming  behind  him,  clapped  him  on  the  shoulder, 
and  told  him  that  he  arrested  him  in  the  name  of  the 
governor  of  the  place.  He  asked  him  for  what ;  and 
said,  '  What  have  I  done  ? '  He  answered,  '  For  steal- 
ing the  woman's  can.'  The  can  he  had  indeed,  and  so 
he  was  had  before  the  governor,  which  was  a  mighty 
black  dog,  the  biggest  and  grimmest  that  ever  he  saw 
in  his  life ;  and  witness  was  brought  in  against  him 
by  an  old  companion  of  his,  and  he  was  found  guilty, 
and  his  sentence  was  to  go  to  prison,  and  there  lay 
forever." 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  43 

He  told  me  this  dream  so  punctually,  and  with  such 
an  emphasis,  that  it  affected  me  with  serious  sadness, 
and  caused  my  heart  to  move  within  me ;  for  to  me 
the  dream  seemed  true,  and  the  interpretation  sure. 
I  then  told  him  he  was  an  ingenious  man,  and  might 
clearly  see  the  interpretation  of  that  dream,  which 
exactly  answered  to  his  state  and  condition,  which  I 
thus  interpreted  to  him :  "  This  great  and  spacious 
place,  wherein  the  buildings  were  high  and  the  streets 
broad,  is  thy  great  and  high  profession.  The  sign, 
on  which  was  written  shame,  which  thou  sawest,  and 
the  woman  at  the  door,  with  the  can  in  her  hand, 
truly  represent  that  great,  crying,  and  shameful  sin 
of  drunkenness,  which  thou  knowest  to  be  thy  great 
weakness,  which  the  woman  with  the  can  did  truly 
represent  to  thee.  The  grim  fellow  who  arrested  thee 
in  the  devil's  territories,  is  Death,  who  will  assuredly 
arrest  all  mortals ;  the  governor  whom  thou  sawest, 
representing  a  great  black  dog,  is  certainly  the  devil, 
who  after  his  servants  have  served  him  to  the  full, 
will  torment  them  eternally  in  hell."  So  he  got  up, 
as  it  were  in  haste,  and  said,  "  God  forbid !  it  is  no- 
thing but  a  dream."  But  I  told  him  it  was  a  very 
significant  one,  and  a  warning  to  him  from  the  Al- 
mighty, who  sometimes  speaks  to  men  by  dreams. 

In  seven  weeks  after  we  left  sight  of  the  land  of 
America,  we  saw  the  Scilly  Islands,  and  next  day  the 
land  of  England,  which  was  a  comfortable  sight  to 
us ;  in  that  God  Almighty  had  preserved  us  hitherto, 
and  that  we  were  so  far  on  our  wav.    We  drove  about 


44  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

the  Channel's  mouth  for  several  days  for  want  of 
wind ;  after  which  the  wind  came  up,  and  we  got 
as  far  up  the  Channel  as  Lime  bay,  and  then  an  east- 
erly wind  blew  fresh  for  several  days,  and  we  turned 
to  windward,  but  rather  lost  than  got  on  our  way, 
which  was  tiresome  and  tedious  to  some  of  us. 

About  this  time,  being  some  days  after  the  doctor's 
dream,  a  grievous  accident  happened  to  us.  Meeting 
with  a  Dutch  vessel  in  Lime  bay,  a  little  above  the 
Start,  we  hailed  her,  and  she  us.  They  said  they  came 
from  Lisbon,  and  were  bound  for  Holland.  She  was 
loaded  with  wine,  brandy,  fruit,  and  such  like  com- 
modities, and  we  having  little  but  water  to  drink,  by 
reason  our  passage  was  longer  than  we  expected,  we 
sent  our  boat  on  board  in  order  to  buy  a  little  wine 
to  drink  with  our  water.  Our  doctor,  and  a  merchant 
who  was  a  passenger,  and  one  sailor,  went  on  board, 
where  they  stayed  until  some  of  them  were  overcome 
with  wine,  although  they  were  desired  to  beware 
thereof.  When  they  came  back,  a  rope  was  handed 
to  them,  but  they  being  filled  with  wine  to  excess, 
were  not  capable  of  using  it  dexterously,  insomuch 
that  they  overset  the  boat,  and  she  turned  bottom 
upwards,  having  the  doctor  under  her.  The  merchant 
caught  hold  of  a  rope  called  the  main-sheet,  whereby 
his  life  was  saved.  The  sailor  not  getting  so  much 
drink  as  the  other  two,  got  nimbly  on  the  bottom  of 
the  boat,  and  floated  on  the  water  till  our  other  boat 
was  hoisted  out,  which  was  done  with  great  speed,  and 
we  took  him  in ;  but  the  doctor  was  drowned  before 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  45 

the  boat  came.  The  seaman  who  sat  upon  the  boat 
saw  him  sink,  but  could  not  help  him.  This  was  the 
greatest  exercise  that  we  met  with  in  al.l  our  voyage; 
and  the  more  so,  because  the  doctor  was  of  an  evil 
life  and  conversation,  and  much  given  to  excess  in 
drinking.  When  he  got  on  board  the  aforesaid  ship, 
the  master  sent  for  a  can  of  wine,  and  said,  "  Doctor, 
will  you  drink?"  He  replied,  "Yes,  with  all  my 
heart,  for  I  have  drank  no  wine  a  great  while."  Upon 
which  he  drank  a  hearty  draught,  that  made  him 
merrv,  as  he  said  in  his  dream:  and  notwithstand- 
ing  the  admonition  which  was  so  clearly  manifested 
to  him  but  three  days  before,  and  the  many  promises 
he  had  made  to  Almighty  God,  some  of  which  I  was 
a  witness  of,  when  strong  convictions  were  upon  him, 
yet  now  he  was  unhappily  overcome,  and  in  drink 
when  he  was  drowned.  This  is,  I  think,  a  lively  repre- 
sentation of  the  tender  mercy  and  just  judgment  of 
the  Almighty  to  poor  mortals ;  and  I  thought  it 
worthy  to  be  recorded  for  posterity,  as  a  warning 
to  all  great  lovers  of  wine  and  strong  liquors.  This 
exercise  was  so  great  to  me,-  that  I  could  not  for 
several  days  get  over  it;  and  one.  day,  while  I  was 
musing  in  my  mind  on  those  things  relating  to  the 
doctor,  it  was  opened  to  me  that  God  and  his  servants 
were  clear,  and  his  blood  was  on  his  own  head ;  for 
he  had  been  faithfully  warned  of  his  evil  ways. 

We  were  obliged  by  contrary  winds  to  put  into 
Plymouth  harbor,  and  from  Plymouth  I  went  by  coach 
to  London,  where  I  was  gladly  received  by  my  rela- 


46  THE    JOURNAL    Or 

tions  and  friends.  I  got  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
Friends  in  Lcndon,  in  the  year  1699,  which  was  large, 
and  was  at  divers  public  meetings  for  the  worship  of 
Almighty  God.  I  may  truly  say,  the  Holy  Ghost  was 
amongst  us,  blessed  be  God  our  Saviour,  for  evermore. 
In  this  year  I  thought  it  my  place  to  enter  into  a 
married  state,  and  I  acquainted  my.father  of  my  de- 
sign, and  that  I  inclined  to  make  choice  of  Martha 
Betterton,  a  religious  young  woman,  whom  I  entirely 
loved  for  the  piety,  virtue,  and  modesty  which  I  be- 
held in  her.  I  was  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  my 
age,  and  she  in  her  twenty-first.  I  likewise  acquainted 
her  father  and  mother  with  my  intentions,  to  which 
both  our  parents  consented ;  her  father  saying,  when 
I  spoke  to  him,  the  Lord  bless  you  together.  And 
my  father  said,  if  I  was  worth  my  weight  in  gold, 
she  deserved  me.  The  heartiness  of  both  our  fathers 
in  this  matter  was  more  to  me  than  a  portion  of  silver 
or  gold  of  which  we  had  but  very  little ;  but  our  love 
to  each  other  was  very  great,  and  being  honorably 
grounded,  it  was  not  easily  shaken.  We  proposed  our 
intentions  of  marriage  to  the  Monthly  Meetings  to 
which  we  belonged ;  and  because  I  had  been  travelling 
in  America,  I  had  certificates  from  my  brethren  there, 
not  only  of  my  industry  and  labor  in  the  ministry, 
with  the  good  effects  thereof,  but  also  of  my  clearness 
in  relation  to  marriage.  After  having  twice  published 
our  intentions,  we  had  liberty  of  the  said  meeting  to 
proceed  to  the  solemnization  of  our  marriage,  which 
was  accomplished  at  Devonshire  Bouse,  in  iondon,  at 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  47 

a  meeting  appointed  for  that  end,  on  the  28th  day  of 
the  Seventh  month,  in  the  aforesaid  year,  in  the  pres- 
ence of  many  hundreds  of  people,  and  many  worthy 
brethren  and  elders.  A  day  of  days  it  was  to  my 
soul !  wherein  I  was  made  sensible  of  the  love  and 
goodness  of  God  in  a  particular  manner,  which  to  me 
was  an  earnest  of  our  future  well-doing.  My  dear  wife 
was  one  who  truly  loved  and  feared  God,  and  had  an 
excellent  gift  of  the  ministry  given  unto  her,  and  was 
serviceable  therein.  [A  paper  coming  to  my  hands 
of  her  own  handwriting  and  composing,  I  transcribe 
it  here.  She  calls  it,  An  Account  of  the  Exercise  of 
Martha  Betterton ;  viz.  :  "As  I  was  walking  in  the 
city  of  London,  with  a  concern  on  my  mind,  in  be- 
holding the  abominable  pride  of  the  people,  it  opened 
upon  my  mind  in  this  wise :  "Woe,  woe  to  the  crown 
of  pride  !  And  then  I  was  deeply  bowed  in  my  spirit 
before  the  Lord,  and  it  was  said  to  me,  I  will  yet  spare 
a  little  longer.  I  have  sheep  which  I  will  gather  home 
to  me,  and  there  shall  be  one  Shepherd  and  one  sheep- 
fold.  Then  I  said  in  my  heart,  0  Lord !  shall  I  be 
one  of  the  sheep  belonging  to  thy  sheepfold  of  eternal 
rest  ?  And  again  it  was  answered  me,  My  sheep  hear 
my  voice,  and  they  follow  me.  Then  a  cry  was  raised 
in  me,  Cause  me  to  hear  thy  voice ;  and  not  only  so, 
but  enable  me  to  obey  the  same.  And  then  this  charge 
was  returned  to  me,  Be  thou  faithful."] 

Soon  after  I  was  married,  I  had  a  concern  to  visit 
Friends  in  the  counties  of  Surry,  Sussex,  and  Kent, 
which  I  performed  in  about  two  weeks'  time,  and  came 


48  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

home  and  followed  my  calling,  and  was  industrious 
therein.  When  I  had  gotten  something  to  bear  my 
expenses,  and  settle  my  wife  in  some  little  business, 
I  found  an  exercise  on  my  spirit  to  go  over  to  Ire- 
land, to  visit  our  friends  and  brethren  on  that  island, 
in  which  William  Townshend  accompanied  me ;  and 
Friends  in  that  nation  were  generally  satisfied  with 
our  service  among  them.  When  we  had  been  from 
home  about  ten  weeks,  and  had  visited  most  parts  of 
that  nation,  having  had  many  meetings  among  Friends 
and  others,  we  found  freedom  in  our  minds  to  return 
home,  which  we  did,  being  comforted  in  our  service, 
and  blessed  the  name  of  the  Lord. 

After  some  few  months,  I  acquainted  my  wife  and 
my  father,  with  her  father  and  mother,  that  I  thought 
it  my  duty  to  go  over  and  live  in  America.  To  which 
proposal  my  father  consented,  though  with  tenderness 
of  heart,  considering  that  I  must  be  so  far  separated 
from  him.  I  also  laid  it  before  the  Monthly  Meeting  of 
Friends,  at  Horslydown,  in  Southwark,  of  which  meet- 
ing I  was  a  member ;  they  consented  to  it,  though  some- 
what unwilling  to  part  with  us,  and  gave  us  their  cer- 
tificate, to  let  our  brethren  know  that  we  were  in  love 
and  unity  with  them,  and  walked  according  to  our  pro- 
fession. When  we  were  ready,  and  in  order  for  going, 
we  agreed  for  the  freight  of  our  goods  and  servants, 
with  John  Snowden,  and  shipped  them  on  board  the 
"Josiah,"  bound  for  Maryland.  When  the  ship  was 
at  Gravesend,  and  ready  to  sail,  several  of  our  dear 
relations  and  friends  accompanied  us  to  the  ship,  on 


\ 

THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  49 

board  of  which  we  had  a  good  meeting,  and  took  our 
solemn  leave  of  one  another,  as  expecting  never  to 
see  each  other  anv  more  in  this  world.  It  was  a 
solemn  time  indeed  !  We  prayed  for  one  another, 
and  so  parted,  our  ship  sailing  that  evening,  and  we 
got  to  Margate-road,  where  we  anchored,  and  the 
wind  sprung  up  very  fresh,  and  blew  tempestuously, 
so  that  we  broke  our  cable,  and  lost  our  best  bower 
anchor,  and  drove  violently  towards  the  Goodwin 
Sands.  We  let  go  our  sheet  anchor  and  three  more, 
which  were  all  we  had,  but  they  did  not  stop  her; 
upon  which  the  master  ordered  the  carpenters  to 
stand  by  the  mainmast,  with  their  axes  upon  their 
shoulders,  and  when  he  gave  the  word,  they  were  to 
cut  the  mast.  The  people  in  the  ship  —  there  being 
many  passengers  —  were  in  great  consternation,  ex- 
pecting nothing  but  death:  but  for  my  part,  being 
exceedingly  sea-sick,  and  having  been  in  many  storms, 
I  was  not  so  much  surprised  with  this,  the  sailors 
sometimes  making  a  great-  noise  when  there  is  but 
little  danger ;  but  there  was  more  danger  than  I 
was  aware  of,  as  appeared  afterwards.  One  of  the 
passengers  came  weeping,  and  said  our  case  was  very 
bad.  The  doctor  also  came  in  the  same  manner,  and 
cried,  "  Oh  !  Mr.  Chalkley,  we  are  all  dead  men  !  "  I 
thought  with  myself,  I  would  go  out  on  deck,  and  see 
what  the  matter  was.  I  went  to  the  pilot,  who  had 
the  lead  in  his  hand;  he  sounded,  and  cried  out, 
"  Lord,  have  mercy  upon  us  !  she  is  gone,  she  is  gone, 
she  is  gone  ! "  by  which  I  perceived  that  we  were  very 
5 


50  THE    JOUKNAL    OF 

near  the  Goodwin  Sands,  on  which  many  ships  have 
been  lost  with  all  their  crews.  In  this  sense  of  danger, 
I  sent  for  the  passengers  into  the  cabin,  and  told  them 
that  I  thought  it  would  be  well  for  us  to  sit  still  to- 
gether,  and  look  unto,  and  wait  upon  God,  to  see  what 
he  would  please  to  do  for  us ;  that,  if  death  came,  we 
might  meet  him  in  as  good  a  frame  of  mind  as  we 
could,  and  that  we  might  not  be  surprised  beyond 
measure.  As  we  were  thus  composed  in  our  minds,  a 
concern  came  upon  my  dear  wife,  and  she  prayed  to  God 
the  Father,  in  the  living  power  and  sense  of  his  Son ; 
and  He  heard  from  his  holy  habitation,  and  answered 
the  prayer :  for  immediately  after  the  wind  abated, 
and  our  anchors  held  us.  This  was  a  great  deliver- 
ance, which  is  not  to  be  forgotten.  When  we  saw  the 
longed-for  morning,  we  were  very  near  the  Sands,  and 
the  sea  ran  prodigiously  high,  and  broke  upon  them 
mightily,  so  that  we  were  forced  to  leave  our  cables 
and  anchors,  and  make  the  best  of  our  way  to  Deal, 
as  well  as  we  could.  One  of  the  owners  being  on 
shore,  and  seeing  us  in  distress,  sent  off  a  cable  and 
anchor  to  us  ;  and  we  anchored  before  Deal  with  our 
new  cable  and  anchor,  and  sent  a  boat  for  our  other 
anchors  and  cables,  when  it  was  calm,  which  brought 
them  to  us.  After  we  had  supplied  ourselves  with 
what  we  wanted,  we  put  to  sea  again,  and  had  fair 
winds  till  we  got  as  far  as  the  "Western  Islands, 
where  Captain  Cant,  being  in  company  with  us,  spoke 
with  our  captain  in  the  evening,  and  the  two  captains 
concluded  it  would  be  stormy  that  night,  which  ha,p- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  51 

pened  accordingly.  They  took  in  their  sails,  and  we 
all  but  our  mainsail;  notwithstanding  which,  the  storm 
was  such  that  we  lost  our  mainmast,  sprung  the  head 
of  our  foremast,  and  broke  our  cross-jackyard,  and 
thus  lay  rolling  upon  the  sea  for  about  two  weeks : 
the  ship  "Bristol  Merchant"  coming  by  in  that  time, 
lent  us  a  spare  topmast,  of  which  we  made  a  main- 
mast, and  a  topmast  of  our  top-gallant-mast,  and  so 
refitted  as  well  as  we  could,  and  had  a  pretty  good 
passage  afterwards.  We  were  about  eight  weeks  from 
the  Land's-end  to  the  capes  of  Virginia;  had  meetings 
twice  a  week  on  board,  and  they  helped  to  stay  our 
minds  on  our  Maker,  though  our  bodies  were  tossed 
to  and  fro  on  the  mighty  waters.  We  went  on  shore 
at  Patuxent  river,  and  by  land  to  Herring  bay,  where 
my  family  tarried  that  winter ;  and  I  with  my  three 
servants  followed  my  calling.  In  the  spring  we  trans- 
ported ourselves,  our  goods  and  servants,  from  Mary- 
land to  Pennsylvania,  where  we  intended  to  settle  when 
we  came  from  our  native  country.  At  Philadelphia 
I  bought  a  lot  of  ground  upon  the  river  Delaware, 
and  there  I  followed  my  calling  that  summer.  In  the 
fall  I  had  an  inward  call  to  visit  Friends  in  Barbadoes, 
which  I  proposed  to  our  Monthly  Meeting,  and  they 
certified  on  my  behalf  that  they  had  unity  with  me 
in  my  proposal,  conversation,  and  ministry.  I  took 
ship  at  Philadelphia,  about  the  20th  of  the  Seventh 

month,  1701,  on  board  the  "Abraham," Street, 

commander,  and  was  about  a  month  on  the  voyage ; 
Josiah  Langdale  was  with  me.     We  had  several  good 


52  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

./ 

meetings  in  the  ship  to  our  satisfaction ;  and  were 
well  received,  and  had  many  meetings  at  Barbadoes, 
which  were  often  very  large  and  open,  and  some  of 
the  people  loving  and  tender.  We  had  several  meet- 
ings at  Bridge-town,  Speight's-town,  the  Spring,  the 
Thickets,  and  at  Pumpkin-hill ;  and  after  being  there 
about  six  weeks,  we  went  in  a  sloop  to  Bermuda, 
where  we  found  but  very  few  Friends,  yet  had  meet- 
ings in  several  places,  and  at  the  houses  of  some  people 
who  were  not  of  our  profession.  The  longer  we  tar- 
ried, the  larger  our  meetings  were ;  and  many  began 
to  be  affected,  and  spoke  well  of  us  and  our  devotion ; 
but  some  were  disturbed,  and  spoke  to  the  Governor 
to  break  up  our  meetings ;  which  at  the  desire  of  one 
of  the  inhabitants  we  had  appointed  at  his  house: 
upon  which  he  sent  orders  by  one  of  his  colonels  to 
break  up  our  meeting,  which  troubled  the  sober  people. 
After  this  I  met  with  the  Governor  at  the  house  of 
one  Judge  Stafford ;  and  he  being  a  moderate  man, 
we  had  the  following  discourse,  viz. : 

Gov.  How  do  you  like  our  country  ?  We  are  but 
a  little  spot  in  the  sea. 

T.  C.  I  like  it  well  for  its  moderate  climate.  If 
the  people  were  moderate  also,  it  would  be  well. 

Gov.    Doth  it  answer  your  end  in  coming  ? 

T.  C.  My  end  in  coming  was  to  visit  the  people  in 
Christian  love. 

Gov.  Do  you  think  the  people  will  be  brought 
over? 

T.  C.  If  they  are  brought  to  truth  and  righteous- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  53 

ness,  it  will  be  well  for  them.  That  is  the  end  of  our 
coming. 

Gov.  If  you  had  acquainted  me  with  your  design 
when  you  first  came,  you  had  done  well.  It  was  your 
duty. 

T.  C.  If  we  had  known  the  Governor's  will  herein, 
or  that  thou  wouldest  have  spoken  with  us,  we  should 
have  readily  answered  it:  but  knowing  nothing  of  it, 
we  could  not  tell  but  that  it  might  be  taken  for  rude- 
ness in  us,  considering  our  homely  way  and  manner 
of  addressing  such  men. 

Gov.  Then  your  design  in  coming  here  was  to 
preach.     Had  you  no  other  end  ? 

T.  C.  Yes.  As  we  found  a  concern  upon  us  to 
preach,  and  a  desire  in  the  people  to  hear. 

Gov .  Why  do  you  not  tarry  with  them  ?  that  looks 
strange.  Here  the  people  are  affected  with  you,  and 
you  go  away  and  leave  them :  I  blame  you  for  that. 

T.  C.  We  do  not  direct  them  to  men,  but  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  their  teacher,  and  the  bishop  of 
their  souls.  And  why  should  our  leaving  them  look 
strange  to  the  Governor  ?  It  was  the  practice  of  the 
Apostles  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  his  own  prac- 
tice and  command  to  his  followers.  And  further,  the 
Apostles  (which  word  signifies  ambassadors  or  messen- 
gers) say,  follow  us,  as  we  are  followers  of  Christ.  They 
travelled  up  and  down  the  world  preaching  the  gospel; 
and  our  great  Lord  himself  had  not  whereon  to  lay 
his  head. 

Gov.   The  Apostles  were  inspired  men,* — inspired 

6* 


54  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  preach  the  gospel.     I  suppose 
you  do  not  pretend  to  be  inspired  ? 

T.  C.  Every  true  Christian  ought  to  pray  for  the 
pouring  out  of  the  Holy  Spirit  or  Holy  Ghost  upon 
him.  The  Church  of  England*  also  prays  for  it,  the 
receiving  of  which  is  inspiration. 

Gov.  Your  reasons  being  grounded  on  Scripture, 
you  are  well  grounded;  for  no  man  can  deny  the 
Scriptures.     Then  you  say  you  are  inspired  ? 

T.  C.  I  hope  I  am.  I  pray  for  it  with  great  ear- 
nestness. 

Gov.    Then  it  is  but  ask,  and  have,  you  think  ? 

T.  C.  If  we  ask  in  faith,  without  wavering,  we 
shall  receive,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and 
his  apostles  in  the  New  Testament. 

Gov.  Well,  if  any  have  a  desire  to  hear  you,  you 
may  preach  and  welcome. 

After  I  had  this  discourse  with  the  governor,  it  was 
reported  on  the  island,  that  he  had  given  us  a  license 
to  preach,  which  report  was  not  true,  further  than  the 
aforesaid  discourse,  and  then  we  had  larger  meetings 
than  before.  We  had  a  meeting  at  Judge  Stafford's 
house,  and  one  at  a  house  not  far  from  his. 

It  is  observable,  that  this  island  hath  formerly  been 
a  very  healthy  and  fruitful  place.  Eed-cedar,  or 
sweet-wood,  is  all  the  timber  they  have,  with  which 
they  build  their  houses,  make  their  household  goods, 
build  their  ships  and  sloops,  and  make  their  fires ; 
so  that  there  is  continually  a  fragrant  and  pleasant 
*  Of  which  Church  the  governor  was  a  member. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  55 

smell,  which  we  could  smell  at  sea  some  ,ime  before 
we  saw  the  land ;  and  it  is  yet  a  pretty  healthy  and 
fruitful  island,  but  not  so  much  so  as  formerly.  In 
one  of  the  meetings  I  was  concerned  to  let  them 
know  that  it  was  the  evil  of  their  ways  and  doings 
that  had  caused  the  Almighty  to  withhold  from  them 
the  fruits  of  the  earth,  and  to  make  their  island  more 
unhealthy  than  it  was  formerly.  After  meeting,  the 
judge  told  me  I  had  said  truly,  for  that  was  the 
cause ;  and  if  I  had  spoken  more  on  that  subject,  I 
had  done  well.  Several  were  convinced  at  this  time 
on  the  island. 

Soon  after,  an  opportunity  offered,  in  a  sloop  be- 
longing to  this  island,  bound  for  Philadelphia;  and 
being  clear  we  embarked  in  her,  and  on  our  voyage 
had  pretty  good  weather,  only  one  hard  gale  of  wind, 
which  caused  us  to  hand  our  jib.  A  mulatto  man, 
named  Stavo,  the  master's  servant,  went  out  upon  the 
bowsprit  to  hand  the  sail,  and  there  came  a  sea  and 
washed  him  off;  and  the  vessel  ran  over  him;  and 
in  all  probability  he  had  been  drowned,  had  he  not 
been  a  good  swimmer;  for  he  swam,  as  we  judged, 
three  quarters  of  a  mile  before  he  got  to  the  sloop,  it 
not  coming  into  any  one's  mind  to  lower  the  sails 
until  I  sharply  ordered  it  to  be  done,  which  they  then 
did  readily;  and  the  course  of  the  vessel  being 
stopped,  he  soon  got  on  board,  having  stripped  him- 
self of  his  clothes  in  the  sea,  and  brought  them  in 
his  mouth.  I  was  very  thankful  for  the  poor  fellow's 
life,  and  praised  the  Lord  in  the  secret  of  my  soui 


56  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

for  his  preservation.  In  about  two  weeks'  time  we 
arrived  at  Philadelphia,  and  I  had  great  peace  in  my 
labors  in  this  visit,  in  which  I  was  from  home  about 
five  months.  The  Friends  of  Barbadoes  were  so  well 
satisfied  with  this  labor  of  love,  that  they  certified 
the  same  by  way  of  certificate,  more  than  is  proper 
for  me  to  mention.  But  though  they  thought  so  well 
of  me,  yet  I  had  occasion  to  think  very  meanly  of 
myself,  for  I  was  emptied  at  times  to  exceeding  great 
spiritual  poverty. 

After  I  came  home  from  Barbadoes  and  Bermuda, 
I  followed  my  calling,  and  kept  to  meetings  diligently; 
for  I  was  not  easy  to  be  idle,  either  in  my  spiritual 
or  temporal  calling.  At  times  I  travelled  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry  in  our  own  province,  in  which 
there  are  many  large  meetings  of  Friends,  and  they 
increase  and  multiply  from  time  to  time.  Since  my 
settling  in  this  province,  which  is  now  about  a  year, 
some  hundreds  of  people  are  come  here  to  reside,  and 
many  meeting-houses  are  built ;  and  I  do  certainly 
know  from  above,  that  this  province  of  Pennsylvania, 
and  city  of  Philadelphia,  will  flourish  both  spiritually 
and  temporally,  if  the  inhabitants  will  love  and  live 
in  righteousness  and  in  the  fear  of  God ;  otherwise 
the  hand  that  planted  them  can  soon  pluck  them  up. 
After  some  time,  I  was  drawn  forth  to  visit  Friends 
in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina,  and  went 
with  the  unity  of  Friends ;  having  their  certificate, 
according  to  the  good  order  established  among  us. 
About  the  26th  of  the  First  month,  1703,  I  went 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  57 

through  Maryland,  and  visited  Friends  in  Virginia 
and  North  Carolina,  to  the  river  Pamlico,  where  no 
travelling,  public  Friends,  that  ever  I  heard  of,  were 
before,  and  we  had  several  meetings  there  on  each 
side  of  the  river.  One  day  going  out  of  our  canoe 
through  a  marsh,  I  trod  on  a  rattlesnake,  which  is 
accounted  one  of  the  most  poisonous  snakes ;  but  it 
only  hissed  at  me,  and  did  no  harm.  This  was  one  de- 
liverance among  many,  which  the  Lord  by  his  provi- 
dence wrought  for  me;  and  I  bless  his  holy  name  for  all 
his  mercies.  In  going  to,  and  coming  from  this  place, 
we  lay  two  nights  in  the  woods,  and  I  think  I  never 
slept  better.  It  was  the  eighth  hour  in  the  evening 
when  I  laid  down  on  the  ground  one  night,  my  saddle 
being  my  pillow,  at  the  root  of  a  tree,  and  it  was 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning  when  they  called  me. 
When  I  awoke,  I  thought  of  Jacob's  lodging  on  his 
way  to  Padan  Aram,  when  he  saw  the  holy  vision  of 
angels,  with  the  ladder,  whose  top  reached  to  heaven. 
Very  sweet  was  the  love  of  God  to  my  soul  that 
morning,  and  the  dew  of  the  everlasting  hills  re- 
freshed me.  I  went  on  my  way,  praising  the  Lord, 
and  magnifying  the  God  of  my  salvation.  In  this 
journey  I  met  with  another  remarkable  deliverance. 
Going  over  a  river  eight  miles  broad,  there  being 
eight  men  and  seven  horses,  we  put  the  horses  into 
two  canoes  tied  together,  so  that  they  stood  with 
their  forefeet  in  one,  and  their  hind-feet  in  the  other. 
It  was  calm  when  we  set  out,  but  when  we  were  about 
the  middle  of  the  river,  the  wind  rose,  and  the  seas 


58  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ran  high,  and  split  one  of  the  canoes,  so  that  with 
our  hats  we  were  obliged  to  cast  ou£  the  water ;  and 
with  much  difficulty,  at  last,  all  of  us,  with  our  horses, 
got  safely  on  shore,  through  the  good  providence  of 
God.  On  our  return  through  North  Carolina,  we  had 
several  large  meetings,  and  an  open  time  it  was ;  as 
also  at  Nancemond  and  Chuckatuck,  and  several  other 
places  in  Virginia.  When  my  service  was  over  in 
those  two  provinces,  I  went  back  to  Maryland,  and 
visited  meetings  there,  and  then  went  home.  As 
nearly  as  I  can  compute,  I  rode  about  a  thousand 
miles  in  this  journey;  after  which  I  stayed  at  home, 
following  my  business,  in  order  to  the  maintenance 
of  my  family,  being  blessed  with  a  wife,  children, 
servants,  and  other  things ;  for  which  I  am  truly 
thankful. 

While  I  was  at  home,  I  visited  the  neighboring 
meetings,  as  I  found  a  concern  on  my  mind ;  and  on 
the  6th  day  of  the  Third  month,  1704,  I  laid  before 
our  Quarterly  Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  an 
exercise  that  was  upon  my  mind,  to  visit  our  Friends' 
meetings  on  Long  Island,  Ehode  Island,  in  New 
England,  and  the  places  adjacent.  They  gave  me  a 
good  certificate,  which  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  en- 
deavor to  live  up  to ;  and  being  accompanied  by  sev- 
eral Friends  to  Burlington  and  Crosswicks,  and  Joseph 
Glaister  being  my  fellow-laborer  in  the  work  of  the 
gospel,  at  the  two  aforesaid  places  we  had  meetings, 
and  then  travelled  to  New  York  and  Long  Island, 
where  we  had  divers  meetings  ;  as  at  Flushing,  West- 


V 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  59 

bury,  Jerusalem,  Jericho,  Bethpage,  Matinicock,  and 
also  at  West  Chester,  on  the  main.  From  thence  we 
travelled  to  Rhode  Island  Yearly  Meeting,  which  was 
large  and  serviceable  to  many.  Joseph  Glaister  then 
went  towards  Boston,  the  inland  way,  and  I  went  by 
the  sea-side ;  and  we  met  together,  after  I  had  been 
at  meetings 'at  Dartmouth  and  Nantucket  Island,  at 
which  island  there  are  large  meetings,  the  people 
being  mostly  Friends,  and  sober  and  growing  in  the 
best  things.  Though  not  of  our  Society  when  they 
first  received  the  truth,  yet  they  received  it  with 
gladness ;  and  although  the  people  called  Presbyte- 
rians were  very  cruel  in  their  expressions,  and  bitter 
in  their  spirits  against  us,  yet  there  were  others  who 
went  under  that  name,  who  were  more  open  and 
charitable  towards  us,  and  received  us  gladly  with 
tenderness ;  and  at  some  places  we  had  meetings  at 
their  houses  to  our  mutual  satisfaction.  We  likewise 
had  meetings  at  Suckanuset,  Scituate,  and  Sandwich. 
About  this  time  the  Indians  were  very  barbarous  in 
the  destruction  of  the  English  inhabitants,  scalping 
some,  and  knocking  out  the  brains  of  others,  men, 
women,  and  children,  by  which  the  country  was 
greatly  alarmed,  both  night  and  day;  but  the  great 
Lord  of  all  was  pleased  wonderfully  to  preserve  our 
friends,  especially  those  who  kept  faithful  to  their 
peaceable  principle,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ 
in  the  holy  Scriptures,  in  his  excellent  sermon  which 
he  preached  on  the  mount,  recorded  in  the  5th,  6th, 
and  7th  chapters  of  Matthew,  which  is  quite  opposite 


60  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

to  killing,  revenge,  and  destruction,  even  of  our  ene- 
mies. Because  Friends  could  not  join  with  those  of 
fighting  principles  and  practices,  some  were  put  into 
prison ;  divers  people  railing,  and  speaking  very  bit- 
terly against  their  peaceable  neighbors,  and  wishing 
the  Quakers  might  be  cut  off. 

Some  of  the  New  England  priests  and  professors 
were  so  bitter  against  Friends,  that  instead  of  being 
humbled  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God  upon  them, 
in  suffering  the  Indians  to  destroy  them,  they  ex- 
pressed their  enmity  against  the  poor  Quakers  on  a 
day  appointed  for  humiliation  and  a  fast;  and  par- 
ticularly in  a  sermon  preached  by  one  of  their  priests, 
which  he  divided  into  three  heads,  viz. :  First,  That 
the  judgments  of  God  were  upon  them,  in  letting 
loose  the  savage  Indians  to  destroy  them.  Secondly, 
In  that  he  withheld  the  fruits  of  the  earth  from  them, 
for  there  was  a  great  scarcity.  Thirdly,  That  the 
Quakers  prevailed,  and  were  suffered  to  increase  so 
much  among  them ;  which  he  said  was  worse  than 
the  Indians  destroying  them,  and  gave  this  absurd 
reason  for  it :  the  Indians  destroy  our  bodies,  but  the 
Quakers  destroy  the  soul.*  This  is  an  abominable 
falsehood ;  for  it  is  sin  that  destroys  the  soul ;  and 
those  who  preach  to  the  people  that  there  is  no  free- 
dom from  it  in  this  world,  contradict  Christ's  doc- 
trine, "Be  ye  perfect,"  etc.,  and  that  of  the  apostle, 
"He  that  is  born  of  God  cannot  sin."     And  thus 

*  This  priest  was  soon  after  killed  by  the  Indians,  as  I  was 
told  by  a  minister. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  61 

their  blind  guides  mistake  light  for  darkness,  and 
darkness  for  light.  Among  the  many  hundreds  that 
were  slain,  I  heard  but  of  three  Friends  being  killed, 
whose  destruction  was  very  remarkable,  as  I  was 
informed  :  one  was  a  woman,  the  other  two  were  men. 
The  men  used  to  go  to  their  labor  without  any  wea- 
pons, and  trusted  to  the  Almighty,  and  depended  on 
his  providence  to  protect  them,  it  being  their  princi- 
ple not  to  use  weapons  of  war  to  offend  others,  or  to 
defend  themselves.  But  a  spirit  of  distrust  taking 
place  in  their  minds,  they  took  weapons  of  war  to 
defend  themselves ;  and  the  Indians,  who  had  seen 
them  several  times  without  them,  and  let  them  alone, 
saying,  "  They  were  peaceable  men,  and  hurt  nobody, 
therefore  they  would  not  hurt  them,"  now  seeing 
them  have  guns,  and  supposing  they  designed  to  kill 
the  Indians,  shot  the  men  dead.  The  woman  had 
remained  in  her  habitation,  and  could  not  be  free  to 
go  to  a  fortified  place  for  preservation,  neither  she, 
her  son,  nor  daughter,  nor  to  take  thither  the  little 
ones ;  but  the  poor  woman  after  some  time  began  to 
let  in  a  slavish  fear,  and  advised  her  children  to  go 
with  her  to  a  fort  not  far 'from  their  dwelling.  Her 
daughter  being  one  who  trusted  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  the  mighty  tower  to  which  the  righteous  flee 
and  find  safety,  could  not  consent  to  go  with  her ;  and 
having  left  a  particular  account  in  a  letter  to  her 
children  of  her  and  their  preservation,  I  think  it 
worthy  to  be  inserted  here  in  hsr  own  words;  viz.: 


62  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

"  When  the  cruel  Indians  were  suffered  to  kill  and 
destroy,  it  was  shown  to  me  that  I  must  stand  in  a 
testimony  for  truth,  and  trust  in  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
who  is  a  strong  tower,  and  that  we  should  wait  upon 
him.  I  often  desired  my  mother  and  husband  to  sit 
down  and  wait  upon  the  Lord,  and  he  would  show  us 
what  we  should  do.  I  could  not  prevail  with  him,  but 
he  would  say  it  was  too  late  now,  and  was  in  great 
haste  to  be  gone ;  but  I  could  not  go  with  him,  because 
I  was  afraid  of  offending  the  Lord.  Still  he  would 
say  I  was  deluded  by  the  devil,  so  that  my  mother 
would  often  say,  '  a  house  divided  could  not  stand ; ' 
and  she  could  not  tell  what  to  do.  Although  she  had 
most  peace  in  staying,  yet  she  had  thoughts  of  moving, 
and  said  to  me,  '  Child,  canst  thou  certainly  say  it  is 
revealed  to  thee  that  we  should  stay  ?  if  it  be,  I  would 
willingly  stay,  if  I  was  sure  it  was  the  mind  of  God.' 
But  I  being  young,  was  afraid  to  speak  so  high,  and 
said,  '  Mother,  I  can  say  it  is  thus  with  me,  that  when 
I  think  of  staying,  and  trusting  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  I  find  great  peace  and  comfort,  more  than  I  can 
utter,  with  a  belief  that  we  shall  be  preserved ;  but 
when  I  think  of  going,  oh  !  the  trouble  and  heaviness 
I  feel,  with  a  fear  some  of  us  should  fall  by  them  ! ' 
And  my  dear  mother  sighed,  and  said,  '  She  could 
not  tell  what  to  do.'  I  said  to  them,  if  they  would 
go,  I  would  be  willing  to  stay  alone ;  if  they  found 
freedom,  I  was  very  willing,  for  I  was  afraid  of  offend- 
ing the  Lord.  But  still  my  poor  husband  would  say, 
'  I  took  a  wrong  spirit  for  the  right.'     And  he  would 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  63 

say,  '  How  should  I  know  ?  For  if  I  was  right,  I 
would  be  willing  to  condescend  to  him.'  Then  I  said, 
in  condescension  to  him  I  would  move ;  but  I  hoped 
the  Lord  would  not  lay  it  to  my  charge,  for  was  it  not 
to  condescend  to  him,  I  would  not  move  for  the  world ; 
and  after  I  had  given  away  my  strength,  in  a  little 
time  there  came  men  from  the  garrison,  with  their 
guns,  and  told  us,  '  They  came  for  us,'  a.nd  said,  '  The 
Indians  they  thought  might  be  near;'  and  then  away 
we  went,  and  my  mother  went  in  with  my  brother-in- 
law,  although  I  persuaded  her  not  to  do  it.  But  she 
said,  '  Why,  my  child  is  there ;  and  may  not  I  be  with 
her  as  well  as  thee  ? '  And  so  we  went  along  to  Hamp- 
ton, to  my  husband's  brother's.  But,  oh  !  the  fear 
and  trouble  I  felt !  and  I  told  my  husband  it  seemed 
as  if  we  were  going  into  the  mouths  of  the  Indians. 
The  next  day  was  the  first  of  the  week;  and  our  dear 
friend,  Lydia  Norton,  came  with  my  dear  mother ;  and 
in  her  testimony  she  said  there  was  there  that  was 
very  near  to  her  life,  who  was  very  near  to  death. 
Oh !  then  I  was  ready  to  think  it  would  be  me,  be- 
cause I  believed  We  had  done  amiss  in  moving,  and 
great  trouble  was  I  in,  and  told  dear  Lydia  of  it ;  but 
she  comforted  me  as  much  as  she  could,  and  said,  'She 
did  not  think  it  would  be  me.'  My  dear  mother  went 
to  my  sister's  again,  to  the  garrison,  where  she  found 
herself  not  easy ;  but  as  she  often  said  to  many,  she 
felt  herself  in  a  beclouded  condition,  and  more  shut 
from  counsel  than  ever  she  haJd  been  since  she  knew 
the  truth.     Being  uneasy,  she  went  to  move  to  a 


(54  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

friend's  house  who  lived  in  the  neighborhood ;  and 
as  she  was  moving,  the  bloody  cruel  Indians  lay  by 
the  way,  and  killed  her.  Oh  !  then  how  did  I  lament 
moving ;  and  promised  if  the  Lord  would  be  pleased 
to  spare  my  life,  and  husband,  and  children,  and  carry 
us  home  again,  I  would  never  do  so  more.  But,  oh ! 
the  fear,  ,*nd  trouble,  and  darkness  that  fell  upon  me, 
and  many  more  at  that  time !  and  three  or  four  of  us 
kept  our  meeting  :  but  although  we  sat  and  waited  as 
well  as  we  could,  yet  we  sat  in  a  poor  beclouded  con- 
dition, until  we  returned  home  again,  then  did  the 
Lord  please  to  lift  up  the  light  of  his  love  upon  our 
poor  souls.  Then  I  told  my  husband,  although  he  had 
'built  a  little  house  by  the  garrison,  I  couid  not  move 
again.  So  he  was  willing  to  stay  while  the  winter 
season  lasted,  but  told  me  he  could  not  stay  when 
summer  came,  for  then  the  Indians  would  be  about ; 
and  told  me  that  if  I  could  not  go  to  the  garrison,  I 
might  go  to  a  friend's  house  near  it.  I  was  willing 
to  please  him  if  the  Lord  was  willing;  and  applied 
my  heart  to  know  the  mind  of  Truth,  and  it  was 
showed  me,  that  if  I  moved  again,  I  should  lose  the 
sense  of  Truth,  and  should  never  hold  up  my  head 
again.  Then  I  told  my  husband,  he  must  never  ask 
me  to  move  again,  for  I  durst  not  do  it.  Still  he  would 
say  it  was  a  notion,  till  our  dear  friend  Thomas  Story 
came,  and  told  him,  '  He  did  not  see  that  I  couli  have 
a  greater  revelation  than  I  had.'  He  satisfied  my  hus- 
band so  well,  that  he  never  again  asked  me  to  go,  but 
was  very  well  cont  ented  to  stay  during  all  the  wars ; 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  65 

and  then  things  were  made  more  easy,  and  we  saw  the 
wonderful  works  and  the  mighty  power  of  the  Lord,  in 
keeping  and  preserving  us,  when  the  Indians  were  at 
our  doors  and  windows,  and  at  other  times.  And  the 
Lord  put  courage  in  you,  my  dear  children ;  do  not 
you  forget  it,  and  do  not  think  that  you  were  young, 
and  because  you  knew  little,  so  you  feared  nothing, 
but  often  consider  how  you  stayed  at  home  alone, 
when  we  went  to  meetings,  and  how  the  Lord  pre- 
served you,  and  kept  you,  so  that  no  hurt  came  upon 
you.  I  leave  this  charge  upon  you,  live  in  the  fear 
of  the  Lord,  and  see  you  set  him  always  before  your 
eyes,  lest  you  sin  against  him.  If  I  had  not  feared 
the  Lord,  and  felt  the  comforts  of  his  holy  Spirit,  I 
could  never  have  stood  so  great  a  trial,  when  so  many 
judged,  and  said  that  I  was  deluded,  and  that  the 
blood  of  my  husband  and  children  would  be  required 
at  my  hands ;  but  the  Lord  was  near  to  me,  and  gave 
me  strength  and  courage,  and  faith  to  trust  in  him, 
for  I  know  his  name  to  be  a  strong  tower,  yea,  and 
stronger  than  any  in  the  world  ;  for  I  have  oftentimes 
fled  there  for  safety.  Oh !  blessing,  and  honor,  and 
everlasting  high  praises  be  given  to  the  Lord,  and  to 
his  dear  Son,  our  Saviour  and  mediator,  Christ  Jesus. 
Amen.  Mary  Doe." 

A  neighbor  of  the  aforesaid  people  told  me,  that,  as 

he  was  at  work  in  his  field,  the  Indians  saw  and  called 

him,  and  he  went  to  them.     They  told  him,  they  had 

no  quarrel  with  the  Quakers,  for  they  were  a  quiet, 

6* 


66  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

peaceable  people,  and  hurt  nobody,  and  that  therefore 
none  should  hurt  them.  But  they  said,  that  the  Pres- 
byterians in  these  parts  had  taken  away  their  lands, 
and  some  of  their  lives,  and  would  now,  if  they  could, 
destroy  all  the  Indians. 

Those  Indians  began  about  this  time  to  shoot  people 
down  as  they  went  along  the  road,  and  to  knock  them 
in  the  head  in  their  beds,  and  very  barbarously  mur- 
dered many.  We  travelled  the  country,  and  had  large 
meetings,  and  the^  good  presence  of  God  was  with  us 
abundantly,  and  we  had  great  inward  joy  in  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  our  outward  jeopardy  and  travels.  The  people 
generally  rode  and  went  to  their  worship  armed,  but 
Friends  went  to  their  meetings  without  either  sword 
or  gun,  having  their  trust  and  confidence  in  God. 

After  having  had  divers  good  meetings  in  those 
eastern  parts  of  New  England,  I  returned  to  Salem, 
Lynn,  Boston,  and  so  towards  Rhode  Island,  and  at 
adjacent  places,  as  in  the  Narraganset  country ;  we 
had  meetings  also  at  Dartmouth,  Sandwich,  and  Scit- 
uate.  As  I  was  entering  into  the  town  of  Boston,  in 
company  with  many  others,  a  man  rode  up  to  me  and 
asked  in  a  scoffing  manner,  "  Whether  I  saw  or  met 
with  any  Quakers  on  the  road  ?  "  I  pleasantly  told 
him,  we  should  not  tell  the  Presbyterians,  lest  they 
should  hang  them.  He  not  thinking  of  such  an  an- 
swer, went  sneakingly  away. 

Having  thoroughly  visited  Friends  in  those  parts, 
in  company  with  my  friend  Thomas  Story,  I  traveled 
through  Connecticut  government,  and   had   several 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  67 

meetings  in  that  colony ;  and  came  to  Long  Island, 
where  we  had  meetings  to  the  satisfaction  of  ourselves 
and  Friends.  From  Long  Island,  after  we  were  clear 
of  the  service  and  exercise  of  the  work  of  the  minis- 
try, and  had  visited  Friends'  meetings  as  we  travelled, 
and  in  many  places  found  openness  among  the  people 
who  were  not  of  our  profession,  who  sometimes  came 
in  great  numbers  to  our  meetings,  and  several  were 
convinced  in  a  good  degree,  and  many  comforted, 
strengthened,  and  edified,  in  Christ  our  Lord,  we 
came  to  Philadelphia,  the  place  of  our  habitation. 
Let  his  name,  saith  my  soul,  have  the  praise  of  all 
his  works  forever. 

After  being  at  home  some  time,  I  visited  Friends' 
meetings  in  our  county,  and  several  parts  of  New 
Jersey,  Maryland,  and  the  lower  counties  on  Dela- 
ware. At  Jones'  I  appointed  a  meeting  at  a  public- 
house  near  the  court-house.     General   notice  being 

given    thereof,    there   came   one  Crawford,    a 

priest,  with  many  of  his  hearers,  and  in  the  begin- 
ning of  the  meeting  he  read  a  sermon,  as  they  called 
it,  which  was  a  transcript  of  the  works  of  some  of 
our  adversaries,  which  we  desired  to  have  from  them 
to  answer.  They  said,  "  If  I  would  answer  it  myself, 
I  should  have  it."  I  told  them  I  should,  if  they 
would  let  me  have  it ;  but  though  they  promised  it, 
they  did  not  perform,  but  were  worse  than  their  word. 
We  heard  them  read  it  patiently,  and  after  they  had 
done,  had  our  meeting.  The  auditory  was  large,  and 
most  of  the  magistrates  were  at  it.     The  priest's  read- 


68  THE   JOUKNAL    OF 

ing,  and  my  testimony,  occasioned  this  meeting  to 
hold  long ;  after  which,  as  we  were  getting  on  horse- 
back, the  priest  cried  out  among  the  people,  "  That 
he  did  not  think  we  would  go  away  so  sneakingly." 
We  having  twenty  miles  to  ride  that  night,  and  he 
near  his  home,  and  having  the  advantage  in  that 
respect,  some  thought  it  made  him  the  bolder,  for  he 
let  me  get  on  horseback  before  he  uttered  that  ex- 
pression. I  told  him  to  challenge  was  enough  to  set 
a  coward  to  work,  and  we  were  no  cowards ;  for  he 
knew  we  could  venture  our  lives  for  our  religion, 
which  I  questioned  whether  he  would  do  for  his.  I 
dismounted,  and  he  having  the  bible  open  in  his  hand, 
I  being  near  him,  chanced,  against  my  will  and  knowl- 
edge, to  touch  it  with  my  foot.  "  Look  you,  gentle- 
men," says  he,  "  he  tramples  the  "Word  of  God  under 
his  feet ! "  For  which  gross  abuse  his  own  hearers 
openly  rebuked  him,  and  put  him  to  shame.  Then 
he  said,  "  He  would  prove  us  no  ministers  of  Christ." 
I  bid  him  prove  himself  one,  and  he  would  do  the 
business.  "  Well,"  says  he,  "  how  shall  we  know  who 
are  Christ's  ministers  ?  "  "  Why,"  said  I,  "  art  thou 
willing  to  be  tried  by  Christ's  rule,  for  he  hath  given 
us  a  plain  rule  to  know  them  by."  "  What  is  that 
rule?  Let  us  hear  it,"  says  he.  "It  is  short,  but 
full,  namely,  '  By  their  fruits  you  shall  know  them ; 
for  men  do  not  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  nor  figs  of 
thistles:'  wherefore  by  their  fruits  they  are  known." 
"  I  deny  it,"  says  Priest  Crawford,  —  for  that  was  the 
name  he  went  by  here,  he  going  by  another  elsewhere, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  69 

— "that  they  are  known  by  their  fruits."  I  answered, 
"Then  thou  deniest  the  plain  and  naked  truth  of 
Christ."  So  I  called  aloud  to  the  people  to  take  no- 
tice what  a  blind  guide  they  had ;  and  indeed  he  was 
wicked,  as  well  as  blind,  and  his  fruits  not  good ; 
which  may  make  one  suppose  that  he  was  not  willing 
to  be  tried  by  his  fruits.  For  soon  after,  news  came 
that  he  had  a  wife  in  England,  and  as  he  had  another 
here,  his  fruits  were  wicked  with  a  witness ;  and  ac- 
cording to  Christ's  doctrine,  no  good  could  spring 
from  his  ministry,  therefore  he  proved  himself  by  his 
evil  deeds  to  be  no  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  Near 
the  aforesaid  place  we  got  a  meeting  settled,  which  is 
called  Little-creek  Meeting;  and  about. the  same  time 
a  meeting  was  established,  and  a  meeting-house  built 
at  Duck  creek.  The  people  in  those  parts  about  this 
time  began  mightily  to  see  through  the  formal  preach- 
ing of  such  as  preach  for  money,  who  love  the  hire, 
though  they  do  not  love  to  be  called  hirelings. 


70  THE   JOURNAL   OP 


CHAPTER    III. 

1706-1710. 

Opposition  by  a  Priest  and  Lawyer — Visits  to  West  Indies  and 
Europe  —  Arrival  at  Barbadoes  —  Religious  Labors  —  Priva- 
teer—  Jamaica  —  Travels  through  England  —  Holland — Wm. 
Sewel  —  Friesland  —  Germany  —  Rough  Travelling  —  Return  to 
England  —  London  Yearly  Meeting — Embarks  for  Philadelphia 
—  Arrives  at  Home. 

In  the  year  1706,  having  some  concerns  in  the 
province  of  Maryland,  I  had  divers  meetings  as  I 
travelled  on  the  road,  as  at  Nottingham,  Elk  river, 
North-east,  Susquehanna,  Bush  and  Gun -powder 
rivers ;  at  some  of  which  places  I  do  not  know  that 
there  had  been  any  meeting  before.  At  one  of  these 
meetings  were  one  Edwards  a  priest,  and  a  lawyer, 
the  attorney-general,  and  several  justices  of  the  peace. 
The  priest  was  angry,  and  said,  "  It  was  an  unlawful 
assembly,  the  house  not  being  licensed  by  law."  The 
justices  told  him,  "  That  he  and  his  people  being 
there  to  hear,  if  any  unwarrantable  or  false  doctrine 
was  preached,  he  had  a  fair  opportunity  to  lay  it  open 
before  all  the  people."  So  they  desired  him  to  hear 
patiently  and  quietly.  He  seemed  to  like  the  propo- 
sition, and  sat  down  by  me.  We  had  not  sat  down 
long  before  I  stood  up,  and  spoke  to  the  people  a  con- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  71 

siderable  time.  The  lawyer  sat  opposite  to  me,  and 
took  what  I  said  in  short-hand,  for  about  half  an 
hour ;  but  growing  weary,  he  laid  down  his  pen,  and 
took  out  of  his  pocket  a  bottle  of  liquor,  or  spirits, 
and  said,  "  Come,  friend,  here  is  to  thee  (or  you)  ;  you 
have  spoken  a  great  while,  you  need  something  to 
refresh  you."  I  made  a  stop,  and  said  to  the  people, 
"  Here  is  your  minister,  and  here  is  some  of  the  fruits 
of  his  ministry,  of  which  he  and  all  sober  people  may 
be  ashamed."  And  then  went  on  again  without  any 
opposition  till  I  had  done ;  but  afterwards  they  were 
in  a  rage,  and  threatened  what  they  would  do  to  me, 
if  ever  I  came  there  again  to  have  a  meeting.  But 
I  told  them,  if  they  had  power  to  take  our  lives  from 
us,  they  were  not  dear  to  us  for  the  sake  of  Christ 
and  his  gospel ;  and  that  we  did  not  regard  their 
threatenings.  I  desired  the  lawyer  to  give  me  a  copy 
of  what  he  had  written  ;  he  went  about  it,  but  did 
not  do  it;  neither  was  he  candid  in  penning  my 
words ;  for  several  of  the  people  then  present  bore 
witness  that  he  had  not  written  it  verbatim,  or  truly 
taken  the  sense  of  what  I  spoke.  I  charged  him  to 
be  just,  otherwise  he  had  many  witnesses  against 
him ;  at  which  the  priest  bent  his  fist,  and  held  it  up 
to  me,  but  did  not  strike  me,  and  away  they  went  in 
a  fret.  Soon  after  we  had  another  meeting  at  the 
same  place,  which  was  large  and  quiet.  The  man  of 
the  house  being  an  attorney  at  law,  had  got  his  house 
licensed,  and  though  the  priest  and  lawyer  threatened 
hard,  they  came  not. 


72  THE   JOUENAL    OF 

Aquila  Paca,  high-sheriff  of  the  county,  living  at 
the  head  of  Bush  river,  near  the  main  road,  built  a 
meeting-house,  at  his  own  charge,  and  had  it  licensed, 
at  which  we  had  many  good  meetings.  About  this 
time  also  a  meeting-house  was  built  at  a  place  called 
Nottingham,  which  is  a  large  meeting,  and  greatly 
increases. 

When  I  was  travelling  in  those  parts,  I  had  a  con- 
cern on  my  mind  to  visit  the  Indians  living  near  Sus- 
quehanna, at  Cones  toga,  and  I  laid  it  before  the  elders 
of  Nottingham  meeting,  with  which  they  expressed 
their  unity,  and  promoted  my  visiting  them.     We  got 
an  interpreter,  and  thirteen  or  fourteen  of  us  travelled 
through  the  woods   about  fifty  miles,  carrying  our 
provisions  with  us,  and  on  the  journey  sat  down  by  a 
river,  and  spread  our  food  on  the  grass,  and  refreshed 
ourselves  and  horses,  and  then  went  on  cheerfully, 
with  good  will  and  much  love  to  the  poor  Indians ; 
and  when  we  came  they  received  us  kindly,  treating 
us  civilly  in  their  way.     We  treated  about  having  a 
religious  meeting  with  them,  upon  which  they  called 
a  council,  and  were  very  grave,  and  spoke  one  after 
another,  without  any  heat  or  jarring;  and  some  of 
the  most  esteemed  of  their  women  do  sometimes  speak 
in  their  councils.     I  asked  our  interpreter  why  they 
permitted  the  women  to  speak  in  their  councils  ?     His 
answer  was,  "  That  some  women  are  wiser  than  some 
men."     Our  interpreter  told  me,  that  they  had  not 
done  anything  for  many  years,  without  the  counsel 
of  an  ancient  grave  woman ;  who,  I  observed,  spoke 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  73 

much  in  their  council;  for  I  was  permitted  to  be 
present  at  it;  and  I  asked  what  it  was  the  woman 
said?  He  told  me  she  was  an  empress;  and  they 
gave  much  heed  to  what  she  said  amongst  them ;  and 
that  she  then  said,  "  She  looked  upon  our  coming  to 
be  more  than  natural,  because  we  did  not  come  to 
buy,  or  sell,  or  get  gain,  but  came  in  love  and  respect 
to  them,  and  desired  their  well-doing  both  here  and 
hereafter;"  and  further  continued,  "That  our  meet- 
ings among  them  might  be  very  beneficial  to  their 
young  people,"  and  related  a  dream  which  she  had 
three  days  before,  and  interpreted  it,  viz. :  "That  she 
was  in  London,  and  that  London  was  the  finest  place 
she  ever  saw,  it  was  like  to  Philadelphia,  but  much 
bigger;  and  she  went  across  six  streets,  and  in  the 
seventh  she  saw  William  Penn  preaching  to  the  peo- 
ple, which  was  a  great  multitude,  and  she  and  Wil- 
liam Penn  rejoiced  to  see  one  another;  and  after 
meeting  she  went  to  him,  and  he  told  her  that  in  a 
little  time  he  wo  aid  come  over  and  preach  to  them 
also,  of  which  she  was  very  glad.  And  now  she  said 
her  dream  was  fulfilled,  for  one  of  his  friends  was 
come  to  preach  to  them."  She  advised  them  to  hear 
us,  and  entertain  us  kindly;  and  accordingly  they 
did.  Here  were  two  nations  of  them,  the  Senecas 
and  Shawanese.  We  had  first  a  meeting  with  the 
Senecas,  with  which  they  were  much  affected ;  and 
they  called  the  other  nation,  viz.,  the  Shawanese,  and 
interpreted  to  them  what  we  spoke  in  their  meeting, 
and  the  poor  Indians,  particularly  some  of  the  young 
7 


74  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

men  and  women,  were  under  a  solid  exercise  and  con- 
cern. We  had  also  a  meeting  with  the  other  nation, 
and  they  were  all  very  kind  to  us,  and  desired  more 
such  opportunities ;  the  which,  I  hope  divine  Provi- 
dence will  order  for  them,  if  they  are  worthy  thereof. 
The  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  was  preached  freely  to 
them,  and  faith  in  Christ,  who  was  put  to  death  at 
Jerusalem  by  the  unbelieving  Jews;  and  that  this 
same  Jesus  came  to  save  people  from  their  sins,  and 
by  his  grace  and  light  in  the  soul,  shows  to  man  his 
sins,  and  convinceth  him  thereof,  delivering  him  out 
of  them,  and  gives  inward  peace  and  comfort  to  the 
soul  for  well-doing,  and  sorrow  and  trouble  for  evil- 
doing;  to  all  which,  as  their  manner  is,  they  gave 
public  assents ;  and  to  that  of  the  light  in  the  soul 
they  gave  a  double  assent,  and  seemed  much  affected 
with  the  doctrine  of  truth ;  also  the  benefit  of  the 
Holy  Scriptures  was  largely  opened  to  them.* 

After. this  we  returned  to  our  respective  habitations, 
thankful  in  our  hearts  to  the  God  and  Father  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Several  of  the  Friends  that  went 
with  me,  expressed  their  satisfaction  in  this  visit, 
and  offered  themselves  freely  to  go  again  on  the  like 
service. 

*  It  is  worthy  of  notice  that  at  the  first  settling  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, William  Penn  took  great  care  to  do  justice  to  the  Indians, 
and  bought  his  land  of  them  to  their  satisfaction,  and  settled  a 
trade  with  them ;  so  that  whereas  the  Indians  were  destructive 
to  the  other  colonies,  they  were  helpful  to  Pennsylvania ;  and 
to  this  day  they  love  to  hear  the  name  of  William  Penn. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  75 

I  also  was  concerned  soon  after  to  visit  the  people 
about  Egg  Harbor  and  Cape  May,  and  had  meetings 
amongst  them,  and  several  meetings  were  settled  in 
those  parts,  and  the  people  somewhat  reformed  from 
what  they  had  been  before  they  were  visited  by 
Friends.  They  told  me,  after  a  meeting  we  had  with 
them,  that  they  used  to  spend  the  Sabbath  days  in 
sporting  and  vanity,  until  Friends  came  among  them, 
and  now  they  meet  together  to  worship  God  and  his 
Son  Jesus  Christ.  At  our  coming  amongst  them, 
some  backsliders  and  apostates  were  displeased.  One, 
in  a  very  bitter  spirit,  called  us  cursed  and  cruel 
devils.  Another  wrote  against  us.  To  him  I  sent 
an  answer,  for  which  he  scandalized  me  in  one  of  his 
almanacs,  and  publicly  belied  me  in  print ;  which  lies 
I  swept  away  with  "A  small  Broom,"  printed  in  this 
year,  1706,  to  which  I  never  understood  that  he  re- 
turned any  answer,  nor  that  he  wrote  against  Friends 
afterwards,  though  he  had  made  it  his  practice  for 
several  years. 

At  Little  Es-g-  Harbor  lived  a  Friend  whose  name 
was  Edward  Andrews,  who,  as  himself  told  me,  had 
been  a  leader  of  the  people  into  vanity  and  folly,  as 
music,  dancing,  etc.,  but  the  good  hand  of  the  Lord 
being  upon  him,  wrought  a  wonderful  reformation  in 
him,  and  made  him  an  instrument  to  lead  people  into 
truth  and  righteousness,  and  gave  him  an  excellent 
gift  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Christ ;  so  that 
he  was  made  instrumental  in  gathering  a  large  and 
growing  meeting,  most  of  the  people  thereabouts  being 


76  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

convinced,  and  a  great  reformation  and  change  wrought 
in  their  conversations.  This  Friend  told  me  that  when 
he  was  very  rude  and  wild,  he  was  mightily  reached 
to,  at  the  meeting  we  had  under  the  trees  at  Cross- 
wicks,*  so  that  he  could  not  go  on  with  his  vanity  as 
before ;  after  which  he  had  strong  convictions  on  him, 
which  wrought  conversion  in  the  Lord's  time,  after  he 
had  gone  through  many  deep  inward  exercises. 

After  these  journeys  were  over,  and  I  had  cleared 
myself,  I  was  some  time  at  home,  and  followed  my 
business  with  diligence  and  industry,  and  throve  in 
the  things  of  the  world,  the  Lord  adding  a  blessing 
to  my  labor.  Some  people  would  tell  me  that  I  got 
money  for  preaching,  and  grew  rich  by  it;  which  being 
a  common  calumny  cast  upon  our  public  Friends  that 
are  travellers,  I  shall  take  a  little  notice  of  it,  and 
leave  it  to  posterity.  It  is  against  our  principle,  and 
contrary  to  our  known  practice  and  rule,  to  take 
money  for  preaching  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  pub- 
lishing salvation  through  his  name  unto  the  people; 
for  according  to  Christ's  command,  we,  receiving  it 
freely,  are  to  give  it  forth  freely.  I  can  say,  without 
vanity  or  boasting,  I  have  spent  many  pounds  in  that 
service,  besides  my  time,  which  is  as  precious  to  me 
as  to  other  people ;  rising  early,  and  laying  down 
late ;  many  days  riding  forty,  fifty,  and  sixty  miles  a 
day,  which  was  very  laborious,  and  hard  for  my  flesh 
to  endure,  being  corpulent  and  heavy  from  the  twenty- 
seventh  year  of  my  age.  I  can  truly  say,  that  I  never 
received  any  money  or  consideration  on  account  of 

*  See  page  31. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  77 

these  services,  either  directly  or  indirectly ;  and  yet, 
if  any  of  our  ministers  are  necessitous  or  poor,  we 
relieve  them  freely,  not  because  they  are  preachers, 
but  because  they  are  needy ;  and  when  we  have  done 
those  things,  we  have  done  but  our  duty :  and  well 
will  it  be  for  those  that  have  discharged  themselves 
faithfully  therein.  Such  will,  besides  the  earnest  of 
peace  in  their  own  souls  in  this  world,  have  a  blessed 
reward  in  the  glorious  kingdom  of  the  Lord  and  his 
Christ  in  that  world  which  is  to  come.  It  is  well 
known  that  I  have  spent  much  of  my  time,  since  I 
have  been  free  from  my  apprenticeship,  in  travelling 
and  preaching  the  gospel,  being  out  often  many  months, 
and  sometimes  a  whole  year,  and  more  ;  and  at  inter- 
vals I  have  been  apt  to  think  the  time  long  till  I  got 
to  my  business  and  family ;  and  have  at  times  made 
more  haste  than  I  should  have  done,  which  has  brought 
trouble  on  my  mind,  and  is  a  trouble  to  me  unto  this 
day.  This  may  be  a  caution  to  those  who  travel  in 
the  work  of  the  ministry  hereafter,  not  to  make  too 
much  haste  from  the'  work  of  Christ ;  and  yet  there 
ought  to  be  discretion  used ;  for  a  minister  may  stay 
too  long,  as  well  as  return  too  soon,  which  may  be 
perceived  as  we  keep  the  eye  of  our  mind  to  our 
divine  guide. 

After  I  had  stayed  at  and  about  home  for  a  con- 
siderable time,  a  weighty  concern  came  upon  me  to 
visit  Friends  in  the  West  Indies,  and  some  parts  of 
Europe,  as  it  might  please  the  Almighty  to  open  my 
way;  and  as  it  was  to  be  a  long  travel,  both  by 
7* 


78  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

sea  and  land,  and  hazardous,  by  reason  that  it  was 
war  time,  and  many  privateers  at  sea,  I  settled  my 
affairs  by  will  and  otherwise,  that  if  I  should  not  live 
to  come  home  again,  things  relating  to  my  outward 
affairs  might  be  done  honorably  and  well :  for  at  this 
time,  as  at  many  others,  I  can  truly  say  I  gave  up 
my  life  freely  for  my  holy  Master's  sake,  and  in  his 
cause,  who  said,  "  Go  teach  all  nations,"  etc. 

On  the  29th  of  the  Sixth  month,  1707,  I  had  a 
certificate  from  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  at 
Philadelphia,  signifying  their  unity  with  my  under- 
taking, and  desires  for  my  welfare;  and  a  tender 
concern  was  on  my  mind  that  I  might  live  according 
to  what  my  brethren  had  certified  concerning  me.  I 
likewise  laid  my  exercise  before  the  general  meeting 
of  ministers  and  elders,  held  for  the  provinces  of 
Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey,  on  the  22d  of  the 
Seventh  month,  who  also  signified  their  fellowship 
with  my  intended  journey,  and  recommended  me  to 
the  grace  of  God ;  and  in  much  love  and  tenderness  I 
parted  with  my  dear  and  loving  wife,  and  my  near  and 
affectionate  friends  and  brethren. 

I  had  for  my  companion  and  fellow-latorer  in  the 
work  of  the  gospel,  my  dear  friend,  Eichard  Gove,  who 
also  had  the  approbation  and  unity  of  Friends  in  this 
journey  and  undertaking. 

We  went  on  board  a  sloop  at  Philadelpl  ia,  bound 
for  Barbadoes,  John  Knight,  master,  about  the  27th 
of  the  Eighth  month,  in  the  aforesaid  year. 

After  a  few  days'  sailing  down  the  river  Delaware, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  79 

we  put  to  sea,  and  in  about  a  month's  time  we  came 
within  sight  of  Barbadoes,  where  we  met  with  a  pri- 
vateer, which  chased,  and  had  like  to  have  taken  us ; 
but  the  good  providence  of  God  preserved  us  out  of 
the  hands  of  those  enemies;  forever  blessed  be  his 
name !  In  this  chase  the  seamen  were  uneasy,  and 
belched  out  wicked  oaths,  and  cursed  the  Quakers, 
wishing  all  their  vessels  might  be  taken  by  the  enemy, 
because  they  did  not  carry  guns  in  them;  at  which 
[evil  conduct]  I  was  grieved,  and  thus  expostulated 
with  them  :  "  Do  you  know  the  worth  of  a  man's  life  ? 
guns  being  made  on  purpose  to  destroy  men's  lives. 
Were  this  ship  and  cargo  mine,  so  far  as  I  know  my 
heart,  I  do  ingenuously  declare,  I  had  rather  lose  it 
all,  than  that  one  of  you  should  lose  his  life."  For  I 
certainly  knew  they  were  unfit  to  die.  "  Lives  !  "  say 
they,  "  we  had  rather  lose  our  lives  than  go  to  France." 
"  But,"  said  I,  "  that  is  not  the  matter;  had  you  ra- 
ther go  to  hell  than  go  to  France  ?  "  They  being  guilty 
of  great  sins  and  wickedness,  and  convicted  in  their 
own  consciences,  held  their  peace,  and  said  no  more 
about  the  poor  Quakers';  and  when  we  got  within 
gunshot  of  a  fort  on  Barbadoes,  the  enemy  left  chas- 
ing us. 

Next  morning  early  we  safely  arrived  at  Bridge- 
town, in  Barbadoes,  where  our  friends  gladly  received 
us ;  amongst  whom  we  labored  in  the  work  of  the 
gospel  for  about  two  months.  After  having  had 
divers  good  and  edifying  meetings  for  the  worship 
of  God,  we  sailed  for  Antigua,  and  sUyed  seme  days 


80  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

there,  having  meetings  and  visiting  our  brethren. 
From  Antigua  we  sailed  for  Nevis,  but  the  wind 
being  contrary,  we  put  in  at  Montserrat,  an  isle  that 
has  a  great  mountain  in  it,  on  the  top  of  which  is  a  hot 
spring  of  water,  which  boils  up,  and  the  mire  of  it  is 
clear  brimstone,  some  of  which  we  carried  on  board 
our  vessel ;  which  is  admirable,  and  shows  the  won- 
derful works  of  God.  They  say  that  the  spring  is  hot 
enough  to  boil  an  egg.  From  this  island  we  sailed  to 
Nevis,  and  had  meetings  with  the  few  Friends  there, 
with  whom  we  parted  at  the  sea-shore  in  great  love 
and  tenderness.  We  sailed  to  an  island  called  An- 
guilla,  and  were  civilly  treated  there  by  the  generality 
of  the  people ;  as  also  by  the  governor,  George  Leon- 
ard, at  whose  house  we  had  meetings.  I  remember 
that  after  one  meeting  the  governor  went  into  his 
porch,  and  took  the  bible  and  opened  it,  and  said, 
"  By  this  book,  if  people  believe  the  holy  Scriptures, 
I  am  able  to  convince  the  world,  and  prove,  that  the 
people  called  Quakers  are  the  people  of  God,  and  that 
they  follow  the  example  and  doctrine  of  Christ,  and 
the  practices  of  the  Apostles»and  primitive  Christians, 
nearer  than  any  people  in  the  world  ; "  i.  e.,  generally 
speaking.  At  this  island  several  people  were  heartily 
convinced,  and  confessed  to  the  truth,  among  whom  a 
meeting  was  settled.  Here  was  never  any  Friend 
before,  as  the  inhabitants  said.  I  entreat  the  Lord 
Jehovah  to  preserve  the  sincere-hearted  among  them 
in  his  holy  fear  whilst  they  remain  in  this  world ;  and 
not  them  only,  but  all  that  love  and  fear  him,  in  all 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  81 

kindreds  and  nations,  and  amongst  people  of  all  pro- 
fessions whatsoever.  This,  in  the  universal  spirit  of 
God's  love,  is  the  desire  of  my  soul.  From  Anguilla 
we  went  to  Nevis,  and  to  Antigua;  and  notwithstand- 
ing our  sloop  was  a  dull  sailer,  yet  we  were  preserved 
from  the  enemy,  to  the  admiration  of  ourselves,  friends, 
and  others,  our  course  being  in  the  very  road  of  the 
privateers.  Just  as  we  got  into  the  harbor  and  were 
landed,  a  privateer  came  by  with  a  prize,  as  we  sup- 
posed, which  excited  oar  thankfulness  to  the  Lord  for 
our  preservation.  Here  we  met  with  the  packet-boat 
bound  for  Jamaica,  and  thence  for  England.  We 
stayed  a  little  at  the  island  called  St.  Christopher's. 
In  our  way  to  Jamaica  we  saw  a  small  privateer  that 
gave  us  chase,  and  it  being  calm,  she  rowed  up  towards 
us.  The  master  prepared  the  vessel  to  fight,  hoisting 
up  his  mainsail  and  putting  out  our  colors.  In  the 
interim  some  were  bold  and  some  sorrowful.  One 
came  to  me  and  asked,  "  What  I  thought  of  it. 
and  of  the  Quakers'  principles,  now?"  I  told  him  I 
thought  I  was  as  willing  to  go  to  heaven  as  himself; 
to  which  he  said  nothing,  but  turned  away  from  me. 
Another  asked  me,  "  What  I  would  do  now  ?  "  I  told 
him,  I  would  pray  that  they  might  be  made  better, 
and  that  they  might  be  made  fit  to  die.  In  the 
midst  of  their  noise  and  hurry,  I  begged  in  secret 
of  the  Almighty,  in  the  name,  and  for  the  sake  of  his 
dear  Son,  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  cause  a  fresh 
gale  of  wind  to  spring  up,  that  we  might  be  delivered 
from  the  enemy  without  shedding  blood,  well  knowing 


82  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

that  few  of  them  were  fit  to  die.     Whilst  I  was  thus 
concerned,  the  Lord  answered  my  desire  and  prayer, 
for  in  a  few  minutes  the  wind  sprung  up,  and  we  soon 
left  them  out  of  sight,  our  vessel  sailing  extraordina- 
rily well,  and  the  next  day  we  got  to  Jamaica,  and  had 
meetings  at  Port  Eoyal,  Kingston,  Spanish-town,  etc. 
At  a  meeting  at  Spanish-town  there  were  some  Jews, 
to  whom  my  heart  was  very  open,  and  I  felt  great 
love  to  them  for  the  sake  of  their  fathers,  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob ;  and  they  were  so  affected  with  the 
meeting   that  they  sent  us  some  unleavened  cakes, 
made  with  fine  flour  and  sweet  oil,  it  being  a  festival 
time  with  them.     We  had  a  meeting  at  Port  Eoyal, 
in  a  place  where  the  earthquake  had  destroyed  a 
large  building,  in  which  meeting  I  had  occasion  to 
remind  them  of   the   righteous  judgments   of  God, 
which  had  been   justly  inflicted  on  them  for  their 
wickedness.     Some  wept,  and  some  were  rude.     The 
people  here,  as  I  was  informed,  were  generally  very 
wicked.    After  having  had  divers  meetings,  the  packet 
in  which  we  had  taken  our  passage  being  obliged  to 
stay  but  ten  days,  we  went  off  sooner  than  we  other- 
wise should  have  done ;  and  solemnly  taking  leave  of 

those  Friends  that  were  there,  we  went  on  board  our 

t 
vessel,  in  order  for  England,  by  God's  permission. 

We  got  readily  through  the  windward  passage,  which 

is  between  the  islands  of  Cuba  and  Hispaniola ;  and 

several  times,  after  we  left  Jamaica,  we  were  chased 

by  ships,  but  they  could  not  come  up  with  us.     One 

ship  of  twenty-eight  guns  gave  us  chase  after  a  great 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  83 

storm,  and  was  almost  up  with  us  before  we  could 
well  make  sail ;  they  being  eager  of  their  prey,  sent 
their  hands  aloft  to  let  their  reefs  out  of  the  topsails, 
in  order  to  make  more  speed,  and  came  running  to- 
wards us,  and  gained  much  upon  us.  We  feared  to 
make  sail  by  reason  of  the  storm,  and  the  sea  running 
very  high,  and  our  masts  being  in  danger,  we  were 
some  time  in  doubt  whether  we  should  escape  or  not : 
but  whilst  we  were  in  this  consternation,  down  came 
the  French  ship's  three  topmasts  at  once;  so  we 
escaped,  and  left  her,  and  went  rejoicing  on  our  way, 
that  we  were  thus  delivered.  This  was  one  of  the 
great  and  remarkable  deliverances  among  many  I  met 
with,  by  the  good  hand  and  providence  of  the  Lord, 
my  great  and  good  Master,  whom  I  hope  to  serve  all 
my  days. 

After  having  been  at  sea  about  six  weeks,  we  began 
to  look  out  for  land,  and  in  two  or  three  days  we 
sounded,  and  found  ground  at  about  ninety  fathoms  ; 
after  which  we  saw  two  French  privateers,  who  gave 
us  chase  and  pursued  us  vigorously;  but  sailing  better 
than  they,  we  ran  them  out  of  sight,  and  in  about  two 
hours  after,  we  saw  the  land  of  Ireland.  It  being 
misty  weather,  with  rain  and  wind,  our  master  thought 
it  best  to  lay  by  and  forbear  sailing,  that  coast  being 
rocky  and  dangerous,  by  which  means  the  two  ships 
that  gave  us  chase  came  up  with  us,  and  found  us  not 
in  sailing  order,  and  were  within  gunshot  of  us  before 
we  were  aware  of  it.  What  to  do  now  we  could  not 
tell,  until  they  began  to  fire  at  lb  ;  but  in  this  emer- 


84  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

gency  and  strait,  our  master  resolved  lie  would  rather 
run  the  vessel  on  shore  than  they  should  have  her, 
she  being  richly  laden  with  indigo,  silver,  and  gold, 
reckoned  to  the  value  of  fifty  thousand  pounds.  In 
this  strait,  we  must  either  fall  into  the  hands  of  the 
French,  who  were  our  enemies,  or  run  among  the 
rocks ;  and  we  thought  it  best  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  Almighty,  and  trust  to  his  providence ;  so  to- 
wards the  rocks  we  went,  which  had  a  terrible  aspect. 
The  native  Irish  seeing  us,  came  down  in  great  num- 
bers, and  ran  on  the  rocks  and  called  to  us,  saying, 
"  That  if  we  came  any  nearer,  we  should  be  dashed  in 
pieces."  Our  master  ordered  the  anchor  to  be  let  go, 
which  brought  the  ship  up  before  she  struck;  and 
with  much  ado  he  put  his  boat  out  into  the  sea,  and 
put  in  all  the  passengers,  in  order  to  set  them  on 
shore,  the  waves  running  very  high,  so  that  it  looked 
as  if  every  wave  would  have  swallowed  us  up ;  and  it 
was  a  great  favor  of  Providence  that  we  got  to  land 
in  safety.  The  privateers  not  daring  to  come  so 
near  the  shore  as  we  did,  after  firing  at  us  went  away, 
and  our  master  carried  the  ship  into  the  harbor  of 
Kinsale,  in  Ireland.  Thus  through  many  perils  and 
dangers  we  were  preserved,  and  got  safely  on  the 
Irish  shore,  for  which,  and  all  other  the  mercies  and 
favors  of  the  Most  High,  my  soul  and  spirit  did  give 
God  glory  and  praise !  In  this  voyage  we  were  about 
seven  weeks  at  sea. 

When  I  came  from  my  home  at  Philadelphia,  I  in- 
tended, the  Lord  permitting,  to  visit  Friends  in  Ire- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  85 

land,  and  being  accidentally  cast  on  shore  there,  I 
thought  it  my  place  first  to  go  through  that  nation. 
I  had  been  in  Ireland  about  nine  years  before,  and 
then  being  but  young,  and  now  being  more  grown  in 
body,  my  old  acquaintance  and  friends  did  not  at  first 
know  me ;  but  we  were  kindly  and  lovingly  received 
by  our  friends  and  brethren  in  that  nation,  where 
there  is  a  numerous  people  that  serve  and  worship 
the  Father  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and  who  have  good 
and  wholesome  order  established  amongst  them,  in 
the  unity  and  fellowship  of  the  gospel.  In  this  nation 
we  had  many  and  large  meetings  after  our  landing, 
visiting  Friends'  meetings  along  to  the  north,  many 
not  of  our  Society  coming  to  them,  among  whom  we 
often  had  good  service,  to  our  and  their  satisfaction, 
as  they  often  declared,  Richard  Gove  being  still  with 
me.  Friends  from  their  National  Meeting  certified  to 
our  brethren  in  America,  of  our  service  and  labor  of 
love  among  them,  after  we  had  travelled  several  hun- 
dred miles,  and  visited  Friends'  meetings  generally, 
and  some  other  places  where  it  was  not  usual.  While 
I  was  in  Ireland,  under  a  concern  for  the  prosperity 
of  truth  and  religion,  I  wrote  an  exhortation  to  the 
youth  and  others,  which  was  afterwards  printed  there. 
We  took  ship  in  the  north  of  Ireland  at  a  town 
called  Donaghadee,  being  accompanied  by  divers 
brethien,  who  brought  us  on  our  way  after  a  godly 
sort.  We  got  to  Port  Patrick,  in  Scotland,  after 
about   five    hours'   sail,    in   order   to  visit   the   few 

Friends  that  were  scattered  about  in  that  part  of 
8 


86  THE   JOURNAL   (  F 

the  nation.  People  in  those  parts  looked  very  shy 
on  us,  and  did  not  care  to  discourse  with  us  on  mat- 
ters civil  or  religious,  which  I  thought  unreasonable. 
The  first  town  or  city  we  came  to,  in  which  we  had  a 
meeting,  was  Glasgow,  accounted  the  second  city  in 
North  Britain,  where,  in  our  meeting  for  the  worship 
of  the  Almighty,  we  were  shamefully  treated  by  the 
people,  who  threw  dirt,  stones,  coal,  etc.  amongst 
us,  and  by  other  actions  unbecoming  men,  though 
heathens  or  infidels,  much  more  people  professing 
Christianity.  I  was  constrained  to  tell  them,  that, 
though  I  had  preached  the  gospel  to  many  heathens, 
and  to  divers  Jews,  as  also  to  Indians  and  Negroes, 
and  had  travelled  in  many  countries  and  nations  in 
the  world,  in  several  quarters  thereof,  and  many 
thousands  of  miles,  yet  I  never  met  with  the  like 
incivilities  and  such  scurrilous  treatment,  not  in  all 
my  travels.  I  also  told  them,  that  I  had  preached 
the  gospel  of  Christ  among  their  brethren  in  New 
England,  and  in  Boston,  where  they  formerly  hanged 
the  Quakers,  and  cruelly  persecuted  them  for  their 
religion,  and  yet  they  did  not  treat  us  so  brutishly 
•■liven  there.  And  further,  I  told  them  that  I  lived  in 
those  parts  of  America,  and  what  account  I  should 
have  to  carry  home  to  their  aforesaid  brethren,  of 
our  treatment  in  Glasgow,  the  second  city  in  Scotland. 
I  desired  them  to  consider  of  it,  and  be  ashamed,  if 
they  had  any  shame.  This  a  little  abashed  them  for 
the  present,  but  afterwards  they  were  as  bad  as  ever. 
There  were  at  this  meeting  some  collegians,  who  were 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  87 

vei  y  rude.  I  asked  if  that  was  their  way  of  treating 
strangers?  and  that  I  believed  their  teachers  in  the 
university  did  not  allow  of  such  ill  manners,  by  which 
they  scandalized  themselves,  their  city,  and  country. 
From  this  city  we  went  to  Hamilton  and  Gershore, 
where  they  were  more  civil.  At  Gershore,  a  man 
of  letters  and  sober  conversation  begged  that  I  would 
pray  to  the  Almighty,  that  he  would  establish  him  in 
the  doctrine  which  he  had  heard  that  day.  This 
being  rare  in  those  parts,  I  minute  it  here.  We  went 
on  towards  the  North  of  Scotland,  to  Aberdeen,  and 
thereabouts,  where  there  is  a  tender-hearted  people, 
among  whom  we  had  several  large  gatherings,  and 
some  that  were  not  of  us  expressed  their  satisfaction. 
In  the  north  I  met  with  a  gentleman  who,  coming 
from  a  nobleman's  house,  joined  me,  and  asked  me, 
"  If  I  knew  Robert  Barclay  ?  "  I  said,  not  person- 
ally, but  by  his  writings  I  knew  him  well.  He  told 
me,  "  That  he  [Barclay]  had  not  left  his  fellow  in 
Scotland." 

We  afterwards  travelled  southward,  where  there 
were  but  few  Friends  and  small  meetings ;  yet  we 
may  say,  that  the  goodness,  love,  and  presence  of 
Him  who  said,  "  Where  two  or  three  are  gathered 
in  my  name,  there  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them,"  were 
oftentimes  witnessed  to  be  with  us,  blessed  be  his 
holy  name.  Oh !  that  the  children  of  men  would 
praise  him  in  thought,  word,  and  deed,  for  he  is 
worthy.  In  great  reverence  and  holy  fear,  we  trav- 
elled along  towards  South  Britain,  had  several  meet- 


88  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ings  at  Edinburgh  and  divers  other  places  ;  also  at 
Berwick  upon  Tweed,  where  there  were  many  soldiers, 
who  were  very  rude.  The  devil  hath  had  many  battles 
with  us  ever  since  we  were  a  people,  in  order  to  hinder 
us  in  our  worship,  but  we  generally  came  off  with  vic- 
tory, as  we  did  here  also,  through  faith  in  His  name 
who  hath  loved  us,  and  manifested  himself  to  us. 
Those  rude  soldiers  threw  their  hats  into  the  congre- 
gation, in  order  to  disturb  us,  and  hinder  us  in  our 
service,  but  were  at  last  ashamed  and  disappointed. 

At  this  place  my  dear  friend  and  fellow-traveller, 
Eichard  Gove,  and  I  parted.  I  was  going  by  the 
east  sea-coast  up  to  London,  and  he  inclined  towards 
Cumberland.  We  had  travelled  about  a  year  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  in  great  love  and  true  friend- 
ship, in  which  work  we  were  true  helpers  one  of 
another ;  and  as  we  had  labored  together  in  the  work 
of  Christ,  so  we  parted  in  his  love.  From  Berwick  I 
travelled  to  Newcastle ;  had  one  meeting  by  the  way, 
and  good  meetings  at  Newcastle,  Sunderland,  Shoten, 
and  Durham,  and  several  other  places  in  the  bish- 
opric of  Durham.  The  winter  coming  on  apace,  it 
began  to  be  bad  travelling ;  and  I  being  already  much 
spent  by  it,  designed  to  go  speedily  up  to  London; 
and  taking  some  meetings  in  my  way,  as  at  Stockton, 
Whitby,  Scarborough,  Burlington,  Hull,  and  Brigg, 
and  so  on  through  Lincolnshire,  where  I  went  to  visit 
a  Friend  who  was  prisoner  in  the  castle  of  Lincoln, 
because  for  conscience'  sake, —  he  could  not  pay  an 
ungodly  priest  the  tithes  of  his  labor.     From  Lincoln 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  89 

1  j\  Dceeded  to  Huntingdon,  about  which  place  we  had 
several  large  meetings ;  then  to  Baldock,  where  I  met 
with  my  father  and  John  Gopsil,  who  came  from  Lon- 
don to  meet  me,  which  was  a  joyful  meeting,  for  I  had 
not  seen  my  father  for  about  nine  years.  The  love 
and  tenderness  between  us,  and  our  gladness  in  seeing 
each  other  again,  cannot  well  be  expressed,  but  I  be- 
lieve it  was  somewhat  like  Jacob  and  Joseph's  meet- 
ing in  Egypt ;  it  was  affecting  and  melting ;  blessed 
be  the  Almighty  that  gave  me  once  more  to  see  my 
tender  and  aged  parent !  From  Baldock  we  went  to 
Hitchin,  and  .had  a  meeting  there,  as  also  at  Hertford, 
from  whence,  with  several  Friends,  I  went  to  Enfield, 
where  I  met  "with  my  dear  and  only  brother,  George, 
and  several  ot  my  relations  and  our  friends ;  and  we 
were  heartily  glad  to  see  one  another.  From  Enfield 
we  went  to  London,  and  by  the  way  we  met  with 
several  Friends  of  the  meeting  of  Horslydown,  to 
which  I  belonged  from  my  childhood,  who  came  to 
meet  me,  and  accompanied  us  to  London. 

I  stayed  in  and  about  the  city  most  of  the  winter, 
visiting  meetings  when  I  was  in  health ;  for,  through 
often  changing  climates,  I  got  a  severe  cold,  and  was 
ill  for  several  weeks,  so  that  I  was  not  at  any  meeting, 
which  time  was  very  tedious  to  me  ;  not  so  much 
because  of  my  illness,  as  that  I  was  deprived  of  the 
opportunities  and  meetings  which  occur  in  that  city 
every  day  of  the  week,  except  the  last.  When  I  had 
a  little  gotten  over  this  illness,  I  went  into  Hertford- 
shire and  some  parts  adjacent,  and  had  meetings  at 
8* 


90  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Staines,  Langford,  Uxbridge,  "Walford,  Hempstead, 
Bendish,  Albans,  Market  street,  Hitchin,  Hertford, 
Hodgdon,  and  then  returned  again  to  London. 

After  I  had  been  in  London  a  while,  I  visited  several 
other  country  meetings,  as  Winchmore-hill,  Totten- 
ham, Wansworth,  Plaistow,  Deptford,  and  Epping,  and 
then  stayed  about  London  some  weeks,  waiting  for  a 
passage  for  Holland,  which  I  intended  to  visit  before 
I  left  my  own  habitation. 

On  the  14th  of  the  First  month,  1708-9,  my  com- 
panion, John  Bell,  and  I,  after  having  acquainted  our 
friends  and  relations,  and  having  their  consent,  took 
our  solemn  leave  of  them  and  went  down  to  Graves- 
end,  where  we  stayed  two  or  three  days  for  a  fair 
wind.  We  then  went  on  board  the  ship  "Ann,"  John 
Duck,  master,  bound  for  Rotterdam,  in  company  with 
a  fleet  of  vessels  waiting  for  wind,  etc.  When  the 
wind  was  fair  we  sailed  for  the  coast  of  Holland,  and 
when  we  arrived,  the  wind  was  contrary,  and  blew 
very  hard,  so  that  some  of  the  ships  in  company  lost 
their  anchors,  but  in  a  day  or  two  we  all  arrived  safely 
at  Rotterdam,  in  Holland ;  being  but  two  days  on  the 
passage.  On  First-day  morning  Ave  went  to  meeting  at 
Rotterdam,  where  Friends  have  a  meeting-house ;  and 
we  stayed  at  this  city  seven  or  eight  days,  and  had 
six  or  seven  meetings,  and  were  comforted  with  our 
brethren  and  sisters,  and  greatly  refreshed  in  the 
Lord  Almighty.  At  this  city  we  spoke  without  an 
interpreter,  because  most  in  the  meeting  understood 
English.     From  Rotterdam  we  travelled  by  the  Trek- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  91 

skuyt,  a  boat  drawn  by  horses,  which  is  a  pleasant 
easy  way  of  travelling,  to  a  large  town  called  Harlem, 
where  we  had  a  meeting,  and  spoke  by  an  interpreter; 
to  which  meeting  came  divers  of  those  people  called 
Menonists :  they  were  very  sober  and  attentive;  stayed 
all  the  time  of  the  meeting,  and  spoke  well  of  it.  From 
Harlem  we  went  to  Amsterdam,  the  metropolis  of 
Holland,  where  Friends  have  a  meeting-house.  Here 
we  had  several  meetings,  and  stayed  about  a  week. 
On  the  First  day  we  had  a  large  meeting,  to  which 
came  many  people  of  divers  persuasions  and  religions, 
as  Jews,  Papists,  and  others ;  and  we  had  a  good  op- 
portunity among  them,  and  several  were  tender.  A 
Jew  came  next  day  to  speak  with  us,  and  acknowl- 
edged, "  That  Christ  was  the  minister  of  that  sanctuary 
and  tabernacle  that  God  had  pitched,  and  not  man ; 
and  that  he  was  sensible  of  the  ministry  of  Christ  in 
his  soul ;  and  (said  he)  my  heart  was  broken  while 
that  subject  was  spoken  of  in  the  meeting."  I  was 
glad  to  see  the  man  tender  and  reached ;  but  too 
generally  speaking,  the  poor  Jews,  the  seed  of  good 
Jacob,  are  very  dark  and  unbelieving.  I  have  met 
with  but  very  few  of  them  in  my  travels  who  have 
been  tender ;  but  I  do  love  them  for  Abraham's, 
Isaac's,  and  Jacob's  sake.  At  this  meeting,  William 
Sewel,  the  author  of  the  "  History  of  the  Rise  and 
Progress  of  the  people  called  Quakers,"  a  tender- 
spirited,  upright  man,  interpreted  for  me.  From 
Amsterdam  we"  went  to  North  Holland,  and  John 
Clans  and  Peter  Reyard  went  with  us  to  interpret  for 


92  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

us ;  so  oy  boat  we  travelled  to  a  town  calleu  Twisk, 
where  we  had  two  meetings,  Friends  having  a  meeting- 
house there.  We  went  back  again  to  Amsterdam, 
and  had  two  large  meetings  on  First  day;  and  on 
Second  day  in  the  evening  we  went  on  shipboard, 
in  order  to  cross  the  South  Sea  to  Harlingen,  at  which 
place  we  had  two  meetings,  and  we  and  Friends  were 
glad  to  see  one  another ;  and,  indeed,  we  being  as  one 
family  all  the  world  over,  are  generally  glad  to  see 
each  other.  From  this  place  we  travelled  eastward, 
through  East  Friesland,  and  went  through  several 
great  towns  and  cities,  until  we  came  to  Embden,  the 
chief  city  in  East  Friesland,  where  we  had  a  comfort- 
able meeting  by  the  bed-side  of  one  of  our  friends  who 
lay  sick ;  and  several  of  her  neighbors  came  in  and 
stayed  till  the  meeting  ended;  some  of  them  were 
very  tender  and  loving,  and  wished  us  well,  and  were 
well  satisfied.  After  meeting  we  set  forward  for  Ham- 
burg, it  being  four  days  journey  by  wagon,  and  passed 
along  through  divers  towns  and  cities ;  we  also  trav- 
elled through  the  city  of  Oldenburg,  and  a  place  of 
great  commerce  called  Bremen.  A  magistrate  of  this 
city  took  notice  of  us,  joined  himself  to  us,  and  went 
with  us  to  the  inn,  and  then  very  lovingly  took  leave 
of  us,  and  desired  God  to  bless  us.  The  people  at  our 
inns  were  generally  very  loving  and  kind  to  us,  and 
some  would  admire  at  my  coming  so  far  only  to  visit 
my  friends,  without  any  view  of  advantage  or  profit 
outwardly.  When  we  got  to  Hamburg,  we  had  a 
meeting  at  Jacob  Hagen's,  and  those  who  were  there 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  93 

were  well  satisfied  with  the  doctrine  of  truth ;  blessed 
be  God,  who,  I  may  say,  was  with  us  at  that  time  and 
place  !  At  Hamburg  there  was  at  meeting  one  who 
had  preached  before  the  king  of  Denmark ;  who,  as 
I  understood  by  our  interpreter,  was  turned  out  of 
his  place  for  declaring  the  same  truths  that  we  had 
preached  that  day  ;  at  which  meeting  were  Papists, 
Lutherans,  Calvin ists,  Menonists,  Jews,  etc.  All  of 
them  were  sober,  and  generally  expressed  their  satis- 
faction. I  had  so  much  comfort  in  that  meeting,  that 
I  thought  it  was  worth  my  labor  in  coming  from  my 
habitation  ;  the  answer  of  peace  was  so  sweet  to  my 
soul,  that  I  greatly  rejoiced  in  my  labor  in  the  work 
of  Christ.  From  hence  I  travelled  to  Frederickstadt, 
it  being  two  days'  journey,  where  Friends  have  a 
meeting-house.  We  stayed  about  ten  days,  and  had 
nine  meetings  in  this  city.  Some  of  the  meetings 
were  very  large,  and  the  longer  we  stayed,  the  larger 
they  were.  Frederickstadt  is  a  city  in  the  dominions 
of  the  duke  of  Holstein,  and  was  the  farthest  place  to 
which  we  travelled  eastward  ;  and  from  thence  I  wrote 
a  small  piece,  called,  "A  loving  invitation  unto  young 
and  old  in  Holland  and  elsewhere ;"  which  was  trans- 
lated into  the  German  and  Low-Dutch  languages  :  and 
divers  impressions  of  it  were  also  printed  in  England. 
We  travelled  in  this  journey  through  some  parts  of 
the  Emperor  of  Germany's  dominions,  as  also  of  the 
kings  of  Denmark  and  Swedeland,  and  of  the  Duke  of 
Oldenburg,  and  Prince  of  East  Friesland's  territories, 
besides  some  parts  of  the  seven  provinces  of  the  United 


94  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

States.  We  parted  with  our  friends  of  Frederickstadt 
in  much  love  and  tenderness,  with  our  hearts  full  of 
good  will  one  towards  another,  and  went  back  to  the 
city  of  Embden,  a  nearer  way  by  two  days'  journey, 
than  to  go  by  Hamburg.  We  crossed  the  rivers 
Eider,  Elfe,  and  Weser ;  over  which  last  we  were 
rowed  by  three  women.  The  women  in  these  parts  of 
the  world  are  strong  and  robust,  and  used  to  hard 
labor.  I  have  seen  them  do  not  only  the  work  of  men, 
but  of  horses ;  it  being  common  with  them  to  do  the 
most  laborious,  and  the  men  the  lightest  and  easiest 
work.  I  remember  that  I  once  saw,  near  Hamburg, 
a  fair,  well-dressed  woman,  who  by  her  dress  and 
appearance  was  a  woman  of  some  note,  and  a  man 
whom  I  took  to  be  her  husband  walking  by  her,  and 
the  way  difficult,  being  up  a  very  steep  hill,  and  he 
did  not  so  much  as  offer  his  hand,  or  give  any  assist- 
ance to  her;  which,  however  it  might  look  to  a  man 
of  that  country,  seemed  very  strange  to  me,  being  a 
Briton.  For  my  part,  I  thought  it  unmanly,  as  well 
as  unmannerly ;  on  which  I  observe,  that  I  never  in 
any  other  part  of  the  world  saw  women  so  tenderly 
dealt  by  as  our  English  women  are,  which  they  ought 
to  prize  highly,  and  therefore  to  be  the  more  loving 
and  obedient  to  their  husbands ;  which  indulgence  I 
blame  not,  but  commend,  so  far  as  it  is  a  motive  to 
stir  them  up  to  love  and  faithfulness. 

In  this  journey  between  Frederickstadt  and  Embden 
we  had  four  days'  hard  travelling,  and  were  twice  over- 
turned out  of  our  wagons,  but  we  received  no  harm, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  95 

which  was  admirable  to  us ;  for  once  we  fell,  wagon 
and  all,  over  a  great  bank,  just  by  the  side  of  a  large 
ditch,  and  did  but  just  save  ourselves  out  of  the  ditch. 
The  next  time  we  overset  upon  stones :  we  wondered 
that  none  of  us  were  hurt,  particularly  myself,  I  being 
much  heavier  than  any  of  the  rest ;  but  through  the 
mercy  of  God,  we  got  well  to  Embden  the  second 
time,  and  had  a  meeting  upon  a  First  day,  and  imme- 
diately after  we  took  ship  for  Delfzeel,  which  was  from 
Embden  about  nine  or  ten  English  miles,  by  water, 
and  with  a  fair  gale  of  wind  got  there  in  less  than 
two  hours.  "We  spoke  by  interpreters  all  along,  and 
were  divinely  helped  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the 
satisfaction  of  others,  and  our  own  comfort ;  and  the 
Friend  who  interpreted  for  us  was  sensible  of  the 
same  divine  assistance,  to  his  admiration,  for  which 
we  were  all  truly  thankful.  But  notwithstanding  we 
were  so  opened,  to  the  satisfaction  of  ourselves,  our 
friends,  and  the  people,  yet  we  were  sometimes  emptied 
to  exceeding  great  spiritual  poverty,  and  in  the  sense 
of  our  want  and  need  we  did  many  times  pour  out 
our  souls  in  humble  prayer  and  supplication  to  the 
Most  High,  for  his  help  and  strength,  that  it  might 
be  made  manifest  to  us  in  our  weakness ;  and  we  found 
him  a  God  near  at  hand,  and  often  a  present  help  in 
the  needful  time,  and  had  a  sweet  answer  to  our 
prayers.  0  that  my  soul,  with  all  the  faithful,  may 
dwell  near  to  Him,  in  whom  alone  is  the  help  and 
strength  of  all  his  faithful  servants  and  ministers ! 
Amen. 


96  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

From  Delfzeel  we  went  to  Groningen,  the  chief 
city  in  Groningland,  and  to  a  town  named  Goradick, 
where  we  had  a  meeting  with  a  few  Friends  and  some 
of  their  neighbors.  It  was  to  us  a  comfortable  meet- 
ing, and  they  were  glad  of  it,  being  but  seldom  vis- 
ited by  Friends.  From  this  place  we  travelled  by 
wagon  to  Hervine,  where  we  lodged  that  night,  and 
next  day  went  by  wagon  to  Leuwarden.  It  happened 
that  we  had  generally  very  fine  weather  while  in  those 
open  wagons,  in  which  we  travelled  several  hundred 
miles,  so  that  Jacob  Claus,  our  companion  and  inter- 
preter, though  he  had  travelled  much,  said  he  never 
had  observed  the  like  before ;  which  observation  I 
thought  good  to  make,  with  thanks  to  the  Almighty. 

From  the  city  of  Leuwarden  we  came  by  water  to 
Harlingen,  where  Friends  were  glad  to  see  us,  and 
we  them.  We  had  a  good  and  comfortable  meeting 
in  Friends'  meeting-house,  blessed  be  the  Lord  for  it! 
From  hence  we  crossed  the  South  Sea,  and  had  a  con- 
trary wind,  which  made  our  passage  long  and  tedious. 
We  were  two  days  and  two  nights  on  this  water  before 
we  got  to  Amsterdam,  in  all  which,  and  the  next  day, 
I  tasted  no  food,  being  three  days  fasting.  I .  was 
willing  to  keep  my  body  under,  and  found  it  for  my 
health,  neither  had  I  any  desire  for  food  in  those 
three  days,  in  which  time  we  had  two  meetings.  We 
arrived  at  Amsterdam  about  the  sixth  hour  on  First- 
day  morning,  and  had  two  meetings  that  day,  which 
were  quiet,  and  many  people  came  to  one  of  them : 
but  we  could  not   be  clear  without  going  again   to 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  97 

North  Holland.  So  from  Amsterdam  we  went  to 
Horn,  where  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  collegian's 
meeting-house,  and  it  was  to  satisfaction  :  the  people 
were  very  loving,  and  divers  very  tender,  even  more 
than  we  have  usually  seen.  They  desired  another 
meeting,  but  our  time  would  not  admit  of  it,  we 
having  appointed  a  meeting  at  Twisk  the  next  day, 
which  we  had  in  the  meeting-place,  as  also  another  at 
a  Friend's  house.  Next  day  we  returned  to  Amster- 
dam, and  had  a  meeting,  which  began  about  the  fifth 
hour,  which  was  the  last  meeting  we  had  in  this  city, 
and  I  hope  it  will  not  easily  be  forgotten  by  some. 
After  it  we  solemnly  took  our  leave  of  Friends,  and 
departed  for  Harlem,  where  we  were  well  refreshed 
in  the  love  and  life  of  Christ  Jesus,  our  dear  Lord 
and  good  Master.  From  Harlem  we  went  with  several 
Friends  to  Rotterdam,  where  we  had  two  meetings, 
and  in  the  evening  visited  a  Friend  who  was  not  well, 
with  whom  we  had  an  affecting  time,  and  the  sick 
Friend  was  comforted  and  refreshed,  and  said  she  was 
much  better  than  before ;  and  we  were  edified,  and 
the  Lord  our  God  praised  and  magnified  over  all,  who 
is  blessed  forever. 

In  those  parts,  viz.,  Holland,  Friesland,  Germany, 
etc.,  we  travelled  nine  hundred  and  seventy-two 
English  miles,  all  in  wagons  and  vessels.  We  came 
not  on  a  horse's  back  all  the  time.  We  stayed  about 
nine  weeks  in  those  countries,  travelling  and  getting 
meetings  where  we  could,  which  were  to  the  number 
of  forty-five,  thus  accounted  :  at  Rotterdam,  ten ;  Har- 


98  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

lem,  three;  Amsterdam,  ten ;  Twisk,  four;  Harlingen, 
three ;  Horn,  one  ;  Hamburg,  one  ;  Embden,  two ; 
Frederickstadt,  ten  ;  Goradick,  one. 

All  these  are  large  cities,  except  Twisk  and 
Goradick. 

From  Rotterdam  we  took  ship  for  London,  and  on 
the  30th  of  the  Third  month,  1709,  sailed  down  the 
river  Mouse  to  the  Briel,  in  the  ship  "Ann,"  John  Duck, 
master,  but  he  missing  the  convoy,  we  took  our  pas- 
sage in  the  packet;  and  from  Helvoetsluys  sailed 
over  to  Harwich,  and  safely  arrived  in  our  native 
land,  blessing  Almighty  God  for  his  many  preserva- 
tions and  deliverances  by  sea  and  land. 

About  this  time,  after  a  long  continuance  of  war, 
there  was  great  talking  of  peace ;  but  the  old  enemy 
to  peace,  truth,  and  righteousness  broke  it  off  by  his 
evil  working  in  man  :  neither  can  there  be  any  lasting 
peace,  until  the  nations,  come  to  witness  the  peaceable 
government  and  spirit  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  set 
up  and  established  in  themselves.  The  Lord  bring  it 
to  pass,  if  it  be  his  blessed  will,  with  speed,  for  his 
holy  name's  sake  !    Amen. 

As  I  have  had  great  peace  and  satisfaction  in  my 
travels  in  Holland  and  Germany,  so,  for  inciting 
others  under  the  like  exercise,  I  may  truly  say,  that 
there  is  encouragement  for  faithful  ministers  to 
labor  in  the  work  of  the  gospel.  I  know  not  that 
I  ever  met  with  more  tenderness  and  openness  in 
people  than  in  those  parts  of  the  world.  There  is  a 
great  people  whom  they  call  Menonists,  who  are  very 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  99 

near  to  truth,  and  the  fields  are  white  unto  harvest 
among  divers  of  them,  spiritually  speaking.  Oh! 
that  faithful  laborers,  not  a  few,  might  be  sent  of 
God  Almighty  into  the  great  vineyard  of  the  world, 
is  what  my  spirit  breathes  to  him  for. 

After  lodging  one  night  at  Harwich,  we  came  to 
Ipswich,  and  from  thence  to  Colchester,  where  we 
stayed  on  First  day  and  had  two  meetings ;  and  had  a 
meeting  at  Birch  and  Coggeshall,  and  then  back  to 
Colchester,  where  we  took  coach  for  London,  to  the 
Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends,  which  was  very  large.  I 
gave  a  short  account  of  my  travels  to  the  said  meeting, 
with  which  Friends  were  satisfied,  and  made  a  minute 
thereof.  I  had  been  about  twenty  months  from  my 
habitation,  and  from  my  dear  and  affectionate  wife, 
and  from  any  trade  or  business,  being  all  that  time 
wholly  given  up  in  my  mind  to  preach  the  glorious 
gospel  of  God  our  Saviour,  without  any  outward 
consideration  whatever,  taking  my  great  Master's 
counsel ;  as  I  had  freely  received  from  him,  so  I  freely 
gave ;  and  had  that  solid  peace  in  my  labors  which  is 
of  more  value  than  gold,  yea,  than  all  the  world. 

From  the  Yearly  Meeting  I  travelled  through  some 
parts  of  most  of  the  counties  in  England,  and  also  in 
Wales:  in  which  service  I  labored  fervently,  and 
often  travelled  hard,  in  body  and  mind,  until  the  next 
Yearly  Meeting,  1710;  having  travelled  that  year 
about  two  thousand  five  hundred  miles,  and  had 
nearly  three  hundred  public  meetings,  in  many  of 
which  there  were  much  people,  and  oftentimes  great 


100  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

openness.  Being  at  so  many  Friends'  houses  and 
meetings,  if  I  was  to  be  particular,  it  would  be  too 
voluminous,  for  which,  and  some  reason  beside,  I  only 
give  a  general  account  thereof. 

In  this  year,  1710,  my  dear  friend  and  fellow-trav- 
eller, Richard  Gove,  departed  this  life  at  Uxbridge, 
about  fifteen  miles  from  London,  at  our  friend  Richard 
Richardson's    house.     He     died   of  a   consumption. 
We  travelled  together  in  great  love  and  unity,  and 
the  Lord  blessed  his  work  in  our  hands.     We  were 
in  company  in  the  West  India  islands,  Ireland,  and 
North  Britain,  till  we  came  to  Berwick  on  Tweed. 
We  met   together   again  at  London,  and  he  visited 
some  other  parts  of  Britain  in  the  time  I  was  in  Hol- 
land and    Germany.     He  was  an  inoffensive,  loving 
Friend,  and  had  a  sound  testimony, —  which  was  ser- 
viceable and  convincing, —  and  was  well  beloved  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  lived.     He  left  a  good  savor 
and  report  behind  him,  I  think,  wherever  he  travelled. 
At  this  General  Meeting  in  London  I  had  a  good 
opportunity    to   take   leave  of  my  dear  friends  and 
brethren  in  my  native  land,  not  expecting  to  see  it, 
or  them,  any  more.     Oh !  I  may  truly  say,  it  was  a 
solemn  parting  !  a  solemn  time  to  me  indeed.     After 
the  Yearly  Meeting  was  over,  I  took  my  passage  in 
the  "Mary  Hope,"  John  Annis,  master,  bound  for  Phila- 
delphia; and  on  the  29th  of  the  Fourth  month,  1710, 
at  Gravesend,  after  having  taken  a  solemn  leave  of 
our  relations,  and  several  of  my  dear  friends,  we  set 
sail  and  overtook  the  Russian  fleet  at  Harwich,  joined 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  101 

it,  and  sailed  as  far  as  Shetland,  which  is  northward  of 
the  Isles  of  Orkney.  We  were  with  the  fleet  about 
two  weeks,  and  then  left  it,  and  sailed  to  the  west- 
ward for  America.  In  this  time  we  had  rouo;h  seas, 
which  made  divers  of  us  sea-sick.  After  we  left 
Shetland,  we  were  seven  weeks  and  four  days  at  sea 
before  we  saw  the  land  of  America,  and  glad  we  were 
when  we  got  sight  thereof.  In  this  time  we  had 
divers  sweet  and  solemn  meetings,  on  First  days  and 
Fifth  days,  wherein  we  worshipped  and  praised  the 
great  Jehovah,  and  many  things  were  opened  in  the 
spirit  of  love  and  truth,  to  our  comfort  and  edification. 
We  had  one  meeting;  with  the  Germans  or  Palatines 
on  the  ship's  deck,  and  one  who  understood  both  lan- 
guages interpreted  for  me.  The  people  were  tender 
and  wrought  upon,  behaved  soberly,  and  were  well 
satisfied :  and  I  can  truly  say,  I  was  well  satisfied 
also. 

In  this  voyage  we  had  our  health  to  admiration ; 
and  I  shall  mention  one  thing  worthy  of  notice.  Some 
of  my  loving  and  good  friends  in  London,  fearing  a 
sickness  in  the  ship,  as  she  was  but  small,  and  consid- 
ering there  were  so  many  souls  on  board,  being 
ninety-four  in  number,  for  that  and  other  reasons, 
advised  me  not  to  go  in  her ;  for  they  loved  me  well, 
and  I  took  it  kindly  of  them.  But  I  could  not  be 
easy  to  take  their  advice,  because  I  had  been  long 
from  my  habitation  and  business,  and  which  was  yet 
more,  from  my  dear  and  loving  wife ;  and  notwith- 
standing the  vessel  was  so  full  and  crowded,  and  ako 
9* 


102  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

several  of  the  people  taken  into  the  ship  in  the  river 
Thames,  yet  they  mended  on  board  the  vessel  apace, 
and  were  soon  all  brave  and  hearty,  being  perfectly 
recovered  at  sea,  and  the  ship,  through  the  providence 
of  the  Almighty,  brought  them  all  well  to  Philadel- 
phia, in  the  Seventh  month,  1710.  I  think  I  never 
was  in  a  more  healthy  vessel,  and  I  thought  this  a 
peculiar  favor  worthy  to  be  recorded  by  me.  We 
had  a  very  pleasant  passage  up  the  river  Delaware, 
to  our  great  satisfaction,  the  Palatines  being  wonder- 
fully pleased  with  the  country,  greatly  admiring  the 
pleasantness  and  the  fertility  of  it.  Divers  of  our 
people  went  on  shore  and  brought  fruit  on  board, 
which  was  the  largest  and  finest  they  had  ever  seen, 
as  they  said,  such  as  apples,  peaches,  etc. 

I  was  from  my  family  and  habitation  in  this  jour- 
ney and  travel,  for  the  space  of  three  years,  within  a 
few  weeks ;  in  which  time,  and  in  my  return,  I  had 
sweet  peace  to  my  soul ;  glory  to  God  for  evermore ! 
I  had  meetings  every  day  when  on  land,  except  Second 
and  Seventh  days,  when  in  health,  and  nothing  extra- 
ordinary hindered,  and  had  travelled  by  sea  and  land, 
fourteen  thousand  three  hundred  miles,  according  to 
our  English  account.  I  was  kindly  and  tenderly 
received  by  my  friends,  who  longed  to  see  me,  as  I 
did  them,  and  our  meeting  was  comfortable  and 
pleasant. 

After  this  long  travel  and  voyage,  I  stayed  at  home 
and  looked  after  the  little  family  which  God  had  given 
me,  and  kept  duly  to  meetings,  except  something  ex- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  103 

traordinary  hindered.  Divers  people  when  I  came 
home,  raised  a  false  report  of  me,  and  said  I  had 
brought  home  a  great  deal  of  money  and  goods,  which 
I  got  by  preaching.  This  was  utterly  false  and  base ; 
for  I  brought  neither  money  nor  goods,  so  much  as  to 
the  value  of  five  pounds,  except  my  wearing  apparel. 
My  case  was  so  much  the  reverse,  that  I  borrowed 
money  at  London  to  pay  for  my  accommodations  home, 
which  I  faithfully  remitted  back  again  to  my  friend 
who  lent  it  to  me ;  and  if  I  might  have  gained  a  hun- 
dred pounds  per  annum,  it  would  not  have  tempted 
me  to  undertake  that,  or  another  such  journey.  Soon 
after  my  return  home,  I  visited  a  few  neighboring 
meetings,  which  were  large  and  edifying,  Friends 
being  glad  to  see  me ;  and  I  did,  as  I  had  reason  to 
do,  bless  the  holy  name  of  the  Lord,  for  his  many 
preservations  and  deliverances  by  sea  and  land. 


104  THE   JOURNAL   OF 


CHAPTER    IV. 

1710-1721. 

Death  of  his  Wife — Various  Journeys  —  Dispute  with  a  Priest  — 
Charleston  —  Virginia  —  Second  Marriage  —  Two  Voyages  to 
Bermuda — Destructive  Hurricane  —  Voyage  Home  —  Threat- 
ened Starvation  —  Remarkable  Supply  of  Food — Service  about 
Home  —  Voyage  to  Barbadoes  and  England  —  Writes  "Scruple 
of  Conscience  about  Prayer,"  etc.  —  Natural  Curiosities  — 
Writes  "Observations  on  Christ's  Sermon  on  the  Mount"  — 
Return  Home  —  Sails  again  to  Barbadoes  and  England  —  Con- 
siderations respecting  Business  —  Incidents  of  Voyage  —  Re- 
turn Home. 

After  some  stay  at  Philadelphia,  I  went  doAvn  with 
my  wife  and  family  into  Maryland,  to  a  corn-mill  and 
saw-mill  which  I  had  there,  in  order  to  live  there 
some  time  and  settle  my  affairs.  While  there,  my 
dear  wife  was  taken  ill  of  a  sore  disease,  and  I  was 
desirous  of  getting  her  up  to  Philadelphia.  She  was 
carried  as  far  as  Chester -in  a  horse-litter,  where  she 
continued  for  some  months  in  extreme  pain,  at  the 
house  of  our  very  kind  friends,  David  and  Grace 
Lloyd,  "&hose  kindness  to  us  in  that  trying  and  ex^ 
ercising  time  was  great,  and  is  not  to  be  forgotten 
by  me.  From  Chester  we  removed  her  in  a  litter, 
accompanied  by  our  friends,  to  Philadelphia,  where 
she  continued  very  ill  all  that  winter,  often  thinking 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  105 

that  death  tarried  long,  and  crying  mightily  to  the 
Lord,  "  Oh  !  come  away  !  come  away  ! "  This  was 
her  cry  day  and  nfght,  till  at  last  she  couM  speak  no 
more.  As  we  had  lived  together  in  great  love  and 
unity,  being  very  affectionate  one  to  another,  so,  being 
now  left  alone,  I  was  very  solitary,  and  sometimes  sor- 
rowful, and  broken  into  many  tears,  in  the  sense  of 
my  loss  and  lonesomeness.  My  dear  wife  was  a  vir- 
tuous young  woman,  and  one  who  truly  feared  God 
and  loved  his  dear  Son ;  from  whom  she  had  received 
a  good  gift  of  the  ministry,  and  was  serviceable  to 
many  therein.  I  had  five  children  by  her,  four  sons 
and  one  daughter,  all  of  whom  I  buried  before  her, 
under  three  years  old.  At  the  Yearly  Meeting  before 
she  died,  she  was  so  wonderfully  carried  forth  in  her 
ministry  by  divine  grace,  that  divers  of  her  friends 
believed  she  was  near  her  end,  she  signifying  some- 
thing to  that  effect  in  her  testimony,  and  that  she 
should  not  live  to  see  another  Yearly  Meeting ;  and 
so  it  came  to  pass ;  for  she  died  before  another  Yearly 
Meeting,  being  aged  about  thirty-five  years,  and  a 
married  woman  about  thirteen  years.  Her  body  was 
carried  to  the  meeting-house  in  Philadelphia,  and 
buried  in  Friends'  burying-ground,  being  accompa- 
nied by  many  hundreds  of  our  Friends  in  a  solemn 
manner ;  and  my  heart  was  greatly  broken  in  consid- 
eration of  my  great  loss ;  and  being  left  alone,  as  to 
wife  and  children,  I  many  times  deeply  mourned, 
though  I  well  knew  my  loss  was  hers  and  their  gain  ! 
I  now  gave  up  my  time  mostly  to  travelling,  for 


106  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

about  the  space  of  two  years,  in  which  I  visited  the 
meetings  of  Friends  in  the  provinces  of  Pennsylvania, 
East  and  West  Jersey,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North 
Carolina,  back  to  Philadelphia,  and  then  to  New  Jer- 
sey again  :  also  to  Long  Island,  Rhode  Island,  Conan- 
icut  Island,  Nantucket  Island,  and  New  England,  and 
through  those  parts  on  my  return  to  Philadelphia. 
In  these  journeys  I  travelled  some  thousands  of  miles, 
and  had  many  large  meetings,  some  in  places  where 
there  had  not  been  any  before ;  and  some  were  con- 
vinced, and  many  would  acknowledge  to  the  testimony 
of  truth  which  was  declared  by  the  help  and  grace 
of  Christ ;  and  many  times,  by  the  assistance  of  that 
grace,  my  heart  was  wonderfully  opened  to  the  people. 
In  Virginia  I  had  a  meeting  at  James  river,  where 
a  priest  of  the  Church  of  England,  with  some  of  his 
hearers,  made  some  opposition  after  our  meeting  was 
over,  and  were  for  disputing  about  religion ;  and  he 
openly  declared,  "  The  Spirit  was  not  his  guide  nor 
rule;  and  he  hoped,  never  should  be.  But,"  he  said, 
"  the  Scriptures  were  his  rule,  and  that  there  was  no 
need  of  any  other;  and  that  they  were  as  plain  as 
Gunter's  line,  or  as  one,  two,  three."  I  told  him  the 
Scriptures  were  a  good  secondary  rule,  and  that  it 
were  well  if  men  would  square  their  lives  according 
to  their  directions ;  which  we,  as  a  people,  exhorted 
all  to  :  but  that  the  holy  Spirit,  from  which  the  holy 
Scriptures  came,  must  needs  be  preferable  to  the  letter 
that  came  from  it.  I  also  asked  him  how  he,  or  any 
one  else,  without  the  light  or  influence  of  the  holy 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  107 

Spirit,  could  understand  the  Scriptures,  which  were 
parabolically  and  allegorically  expressed  in  many- 
places?  And  further,  to  use  his  own  expression, 
how  could  any  understand  Gunter's  line  without  Gun- 
ter's  knowledge?  or  without  they  were  taught  by 
Gunter,  or  some  other  ?  Neither  can  we  be  the  sons 
of  God,  without  the  spirit  of  God.  Which  he  an- 
swered not,  but  went  away. 

In  New  England,  one  Joseph  Metcalf,  a  Presby- 
terian teacher  at  Falmouth,  wrote  a  book  entitled, 
"  Legal  forcing  a  maintenance  for  a  minister  of  the 
gospel,  warrantable  from  Scripture,"  etc.  This  book, 
a  Friend  of  Sandwich  gave  me,  and  desired  I  would 
answer  it;  and  finding  some  exercise  on  my  mind  for 
the  cause  of  Truth,  I  was  willing  to  undertake  it;  and 
accordingly  wrote  an  answer  thereto,  which  I  called, 
"Forcing  a  maintenance,  not  warrantable  from  the 
holy  Scriptures,  for  a  minister  of  the  gospel."  I 
endeavored  to  set  the  texts  of  Scripture  in  a  true 
light,  which  he  had  darkened  and  misrepresented  by 
his  chimerical  doctrines. 

In  this  year,  1713,  I  went  from  Philadelphia,  in 
the  "  Hope"  galley,  John  Richmond,  master,  to  South 
Carolina.  We  were  about  a  month  at  sea;  and  when 
it  pleased  God  that  we  arrived  at  Charleston,  in  South 
Carolina,  we  had  a  meeting  there,  and  divers  others 
afterwards.  There  are  but  few  Friends  in  this  prov- 
ince, yet  I  had  several  meetings  in  the  country. 
The  people  were  generally  loving,  and  received  me 
kindly.     What  I  had  to  declare  to  them,  I  always 


108  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

desired  to  speak  to  the  witness  of  God  in  the  soul, 
and  according  to  the  pure  doctrine  of  Truth  in  the 
holy  Scriptures ;  and  there  was  openness  in  the  people 
in  several  places.     I  was  several  times  to  visit  the 
governor,  who  was  courteous  and  civil  to  me.     He 
said  I  "deserved  encouragement,"  and  spoke  to  sev- 
eral to  be  generous,  and  contribute  to  my  assistance. 
He  meant  an   outward  maintenance ;  for  he  would 
have  me  encouraged  to  stay  among  them.     But  I  told 
him  that,  though  it  might  be  a  practice  with  them 
to  maintain  their  ministers,  and  pay  them  money  for 
preaching,  it  was  contrary  to  our   principles  to  be 
paid  for  preaching,  agreeably  to  the  command  of  our 
great  master,  Christ  Jesus,  who  said  to  his  ministers, 
"  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give : "  so  that  we 
are  limited  by  his  words,  whatever  others  are :  and 
those  who  take  a  liberty  contrary  to  his  doctrine  and 
command,  I  think  must  be  antichrists,  according  to 
holy  Scripture.     The  longer  I  stayed  there,  the  larger 
our  meetings  were ;   and  when  I  found   myself  free 
and  clear  of  those  parts,  I  took  my  passage  for  Vir- 
ginia in  a  sloop,  Henry  Tucker,  master.     I  had  a 
comfortable  and   quick   passage   to   James   river,  it 
being  about  two  hundred  leagues.     The  master  of 
the  vessel  told  rne,  "  That  he  believed  he  was  blessed 
for  my  sake."     I  wished  him  to  live  so  as  that  he 
might  be  blessed  for  Christ's  sake.     Some  reforma- 
tion was  begun  on  him  in  our  voyage ;  which  was  the 
goodness  of  God,  through  Christ,  to  him,  and  not  to 
be  attributed  to  me  any  further  than  an  instrument 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  109 

in  the  divine  hand ;  for  of  ourselves  we  cannot  do 
anything  that  is  good,  it  being  by  grace,  through 
faith,  that  we  are  saved,  which  is  God's  gift  to  the 
soul. 

After  I  had  been  some  time  in  Virginia,  I  got  a 
passage  up  the  bay  of  Chesapeake,  and  had  several 
meetings  in  Maryland,  Friends  being  glad  to  see  me; 
and  we  were  comforted  in  Christ,  our  Lord.  I  made 
some  little  stay  at  a  place  I  had  in  that  province, 
called  Longbridge,  and  then  returned  to  Philadelphia, 
where  I  lodged  at  the  house  of  my  very  kind  friends, 
Richard  and  Hannah  Hill,  and  was  oftentimes  at 
divers  neighboring  meetings,  and  sometimes  had  good 
service  therein. 

About  this  time  I  had  an  inclination  to  alter  my 
condition  to  a  married  state;  and  Martha,  the  widow 
of  Joseph  Brown,  appearing  to  be  a  suitable  person 
for  me,  on  the  15th  of  the  Second  month,  1714,  we 
were  joined  together  in  marriage,  with  the  unity  of 
Friends  in  general.  We  had  a  large  meeting  at  our 
marriage,  the  solemnization  thereof  being  attended 
with  the  grace  and  goodness  of  God ;  and  for  example 
sake  we  made  but  little  provision  for  our  guests ;  for 
great  entertainments  at  marriages  and  funerals  began 
to  be  a  growing  thing  among  us,  which  was  attended 
with  divers  inconveniences. 

My  wife  was  a  sober  and  religious  young  woman, 

and  of  a  quiet  natural  temper  and  disposition  ;  which 

is  an  excellent  ornament  to  the  fair  sex ;  and  indeed 

it  is  so  to  both  male  and  female;  for,  according  to  the 

10 


110  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

i 

holy  Scriptures,  "  A  meek  and  quiet  spirit  is  with  the 
Lord  of  great  price." 

I  was  at  divers  Yearly  Meetings  in  1715,  viz.,  at 
Choptank,  in  Maryland;  at  Shrewsbury  and  Salem, 
in  New  Jersey ;  all  which  meetings  were  very  large 
and  comfortable ;  many  things  being  opened  therein, 
tending  to  convincing  and  establishing  the  people  in 
the  truth  and  doctrine  of  Christ.  I  was  likewise  at 
divers  other  meetings  in  those  provinces,  which  were 
large  and  satisfactory. 

At  Salem  Yearly  Meeting  I  was  sent  for  to  the 
prison,  where  there  was  a  young  woman  who  was  to 
be  tried  for  her  life.     She  desired  that  I  would  pray 
for  her,  and  charged  me  to  warn  the  young  people  to 
be  careful  not  to  keep  bad  company;  "  for,"  said  she, 
"  it  has  been  my  ruin,  and  brought  me  to  this  shame 
and  reproach."     She  had  been  tenderly  brought  up 
and  educated.     I  knew  her  when  she  wore  a  necklace 
of  gold  chains,  though  now  she  wore  iron  ones.     Upon 
which  subject  I  had  afterwards  a  large  opportunity  to 
speak  to  the  people  in  a  very  moving  manner ;  which 
seemed  very  much  to  affect  the  youth  and  others  in 
the  meeting,  which  consisted  of  many  hundreds  of 
people.     I   saw  this  young  woman   afterwards,   the 
jury  acquitting  her  ;  and  I  told  her  that  her  life  was 
given  her  for  a  prey ;  and  reminded  her  how  it  was 
with  her  when  she  was  in  prison  in  chains;   and  I 
advised  her  to  walk  more  circumspectly  for  the  fu- 
ture ;  which  she  said  she  hoped  she  should  do. 

In  the  year  1716  I  had  some  concerns  which  drew 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  HI 

me  to  the  island  of  Bermuda,  where  I  went  twice 
that  summer.  My  family  increasing,  I  traded  a  little 
to  sea  for  their  support  and  maintenance ;  and  I  can 
truly  say,  I  carried  on  my  affairs  and  business  in  the 
fear  of  God,  having  an  eye  or  regard  therein,  more  to 
his  glory  than  to  my  own  interest.  We  had  a  rough 
passage  to  this  island  in  the  first  voyage,  and  were 
forced  by  distress  of  weather  to  cast  some  of  our 
goods  into  the  sea ;  and  the  storm  being  very  violent, 
some  of  the  seamen  thought  we  should  be  devoured 
by  the  waves.  As  for  me,  they  had  shut  me  up  in 
the  cabin  alone,  all  in  darkness,  and  the  water  came 
in  so  that  they  were  forced  to  take  it  out  in  buckets. 
When  the  storm  was  a  little  over,  the  master  came 
to  me  and  asked,  "  How  I  did  all  alone  in  the  dark?" 
I  told  him  pretty  well ;  and  said  to  him  I  was  very 
willing  to  die,  if  it  so  pleased  God ;  and  indeed  I 
expected  no  other  at  that  time.  After  this  great 
storm  was  over,  we  arrived  at  Bermuda  in  a  few 
days.  Going  into  the  harbor,  the  bottom  of  the  vessel 
struck  the  rocks,  but  we  got  well  in ;  for  which  I  was 
thankful  to  the  Almighty.  I  stayed  on  the  island 
about  a  month,  and  had  several  meetings ;  to  some 
of  which  many  came  who  were  not  called  Friends. 
They  were  all  sober,  and  some  well  satisfied;  and 
the  people  of  the  island  generally  received  me  lov- 
ingly, and  were  very  kind  to  me.  Our  ancients,  who 
bore  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day,  met  with  very 
different  treatment.     I  tenderly  desire  that  we  who 


112  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

come  after  them,  may  be  truly  humble  and  thankful 
to  the  Almighty  for  all  his  mercies. 

By  reason  of  my  outward  affairs,  I  had  opportuni- 
ties with  some  persons  of  great  note  and  business  on 
this  island,  and  sometimes  opened  the  principles  of 
Friends  to  their  satisfaction ;  some  of  them  told  me, 
"  They  never  understood  so  much  concerning  our 
Friends  before;  and  if  what  I  said  was  true,  they 
had  been  misinformed."  Divers  such  opportunities 
I  had  with  several  on  this  island,  there  being  but 
very  few  of  our  Society. 

These  are  called  the  Summer  Islands,  or  Bermudas, 
there  being  many  little  islands  in  the  midst  of  the 
main  island,  in  form  like  a  horse-shoe  :  they  are  about 
two  hundred  leagues  distant  from  the  Capes  of  Dela- 
ware.    It  is  rare  to  see  hail,  snow,  or  ice  there. 

After  I  had  done  my  business,  and  had  been  for 
some  time  on  the  island,  I  had  a  ready  and  comfortable 
passage  home,  where  I  was  joyfully  received. 

After  some  little  stay  at  home,  I  went  a  second  time 
that  summer  to  Bermuda,  and  then  also  I  had  some 
meetings,  and  did  some  business  on  the  island.  It 
was  my  constant  care  that  my  worldly  affairs  should 
not  hinder  me  in  my  religious  concern  for  the  good 
of  souls.  It  happened  at  this  time  there  was  a  mighty 
hurricane  of  wind,  that  blew  many  houses  to  the 
ground,  and  very  many  trees  up  by  the  roots,  and 
rent  rocks  asunder,  of  which  I  was  an  eye-witness : 
though  it  is  to  be  observed,  that  those  rocks  in  the 
Summer  Islands  are  not  so  hard  as  in  some  other 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  113 

parts  of  the  world,  particularly  to  the  northward ;  for 

here  they  saw  them  with  saws,  and  cut  them  with 

axes  like  wood.     I  was  told  there  were  sixty  sail  of 

vessels  then  at  these  islands,  and  all  were  driven  on 

shore  but  three,  and  ours  was  one  of  the  three  that 

rode  out  the  storm ;  for  which  I  was  truly  thankful. 

In  this  great  storm,  or  hurricane,  several  sloops  were 

driven  upon  dry  land,  so  that,  after  the  storm  was 

over,  one  might  go  round  them  at  high  water,  and 

several  were  blown  off  the  dry  land  into  the  water. 

One  that  was  ready  to  be  launched,  though  fastened 

on  the  stocks  with  two  cables  and  anchors  put  deep 

in  the  ground,  yet  the  violence  of  the  wind  blew  her 

into  the  water,  and  dashed  her  to  pieces. 

About  this  time  the  Bermuda  people  had  got  a  vast 

treasure  of  silver  and  gold  out  of  the  Spanish  wrecks ; 

and  at  a  meeting  which  I  had  on  the  First  day  of  the 

week  .before  the  hurricane,  or  storm  of  wind,  it  came 

weightily  on  my  mind  to  exhort  them  not  to  be  lifted 

up  therewith,  nor  exalted  with  pride :  for  I  declared 

to  them,  that  the  same  hand  which  took  it  from  the 

Spaniards,  could  take  it  from  those  who  had  now  got 

it  out  of  the  sea;  and  if  He  pleased,  by  the  same  way; 

which  was  a  storm  that  cast  away  the  ships  going 

for   Spain.      And  indeed  so  it  happened  the   same 

week  ;  for  it  was  reckoned  by  men  of  experience  and 

judgment,  that   they  lost  more  by  the  storm  than 

they  had  gained  by  the  wrecks  of  the  Spaniards.     A 

sober  old  man,  not  of  our  profession,  told  me,  the  next 

day  after  the  hurricane  was  over,  that  what  I  spoke 
10* 


114  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

in  the  meeting  was  soon  come  to  pass ;  and  he  added, 
I  was  a  true  prophet  to  them.     Many  houees  that 
were  not  blown  down  were  uncovered.    My  landlord's 
house  being  old,  several  thought  it  would  be  down ; 
but  by  the  good  providence  of  God,  it  was  one  of  those 
which  stood.     I  was  in  my  store,  which  stood  also, 
though  I  expected  every  minute  when  it  would  have 
been  blown  down.     It  was  by  the  mercy  of  God  we 
were  preserved,  and   not  for  any  merit  of  ours.     I 
entreated  the  Lord  in  the  midst  of  this  great  wind, 
that  he  would  please  to  spare  the  lives  of  the  people; 
for  many  of  them  being  seafaring  men,  were  very  unfit 
to  die ;  at  which  time  I  thought  I  was  sensible  of  the 
answer  of  my  prayer,  and  he  was  pleased  to  be  en- 
treated for  them  :  for  notwithstanding  the  violence  of 
the  s'torm,  and  the  great  destruction  it  made,  yet  not 
one  man,  woman,  child,  or  creature  was  lost,  that  I 
heard  of,  in  all  the  island,  which  was  to  me  very 
admirable.      The  Friend  of  the  house  came  to  me 
after   the  storm  abated,  and  said,  "  The  Lord  had 
heard  my  prayers  for  them."     Although  they  could 
not,  by  any  outward  knowledge,  know  that  I  had 
prayed  for  them,  yet  they  had  a  sense  given  them, 
that  I  was  concerned  for  them  before  the  Almighty ; 
which  indeed  was   true.     Oh  !    that  we  may  never 
forget  the  merciful  visitations  of  the  high  and  lofty 
One,  who  inhabits  eternity  ! 

While  I  was  on  the  island  I  was  invited  to,  and 
kindly  entertained  at,  the  houses  of  several  of  the 
gentry,  and  at  the  governor's,  who  invited  me  several 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  115 

times  to  his  house.  Once  I  was  with  him  and  some 
of  his  chief  officers  at  dinner,  with  divers  of  the  first 
rank,  where  I  was  treated  very  kindly ;  and  after 
dinner  the  governor's  practice  was  to  drink  the  king's 
health,  and  he  hoped  I  would  drink  it  with  them. 
"  Yes,"  said  the  rest  at  the  table,  "  Mr.  Chalkley 
(as  they  called  me)  will  surely  drink  the  king's  health 
with  us."  So  they  passed  the  glass,  with  the  king's 
health,  till  it  came  to  me ;  when  they  all  looked  stead- 
fastly, to  see  what  I  would  do ;  and  I  looked  as  stead- 
fastly to  the  Almighty,  and  said  to  them,  "  I  love 
King  George,  and  wish  him  as  well  as  any  subject  he 
hath ;  and  it  is  known  to  thousands  that  we  pray  for 
him  in  our  meetings  for  the  worship  of  Almighty  God; 
but  as  to  drinking  healths,  either  the  king's  or  any 
man's  else,  it  is  against  my  professed  principle,  I  look- 
ing on  it  to  be  a  vain,  idle  custom."  They  replied, 
"  That  they  wished  the  king  had  more  such  subjects 
as  I  was ;  for  I  had  professed  a  hearty  respect  for 
him  : "  and  the  governor  and  they  all  were  very  kind 
and  friendly  to  me  all  the  time  I  was  on  the  island. 

After  I  had  finished  my  concerns,  I  embarked  in 
the  sloop  "Dove,"  for  Philadelphia,  she  being  con- 
signed to  me  in  this  and  the  former  voyage.  It  being 
often  calm  and  small  winds,  our  provisions  grew  very 
scanty.  We  were  about  twelve  persons  in  the  vessel, 
great  and  small,  and  but  one  piece  of  beef  left  in  the 
barrel;  and  for  several  days,  the  wind  being  contrary, 
the  people  began  to  murmur,  and  told  dismal  stories 
about  people  eating  one  another  for  want  of  provisions. 


116  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

The  wind  being  still  against  us,  and,  for  auglit  we 
could  see,  likely  to  continue  so,  they  murmured  more 
and  more,  and  at  last  against  me  in  particular,  because 
the  vessel  and  cargo  was  consigned  to  me,  and  was 
under  my  care,  so  that  my  inward  exercise  about  it 
was  great.  Neither  myself,  nor  any  in  the  vessel, 
imagined  that  we  should  be  half  so  long  as  we  were 
on  the  voyage ;  but  since  it  was  so,  T  seriously  con- 
sidered the  matter ;  and  to  stop  their  murmuring,  I 
told  them  they  should  not  need  to  cast  lots,  which 
was  usual  in  such  cases,  which  of  us  should  die  first, 
for  I  would  freely  offer  up  my  life  to  do  them  good. 
One  said,  "  God  bless  you,  I  will  not  eat  any  of  you." 
Another  said,  "  He  would  die  before  he  would  eat  any 
of  me ; "  and  so  said  several.  I  can  truly  say,  that 
at  that  time  my  life  was  not  dear  to  me,  and  that  I 
was  serious  and  ingenuous  in  my  proposition ;  and  as 
I  was  leaning  over  the  side  of  the  vessel,  thoughtfully 
considering  my  proposal  to  the  company,  and  looking 
in  my  mind  to  Him  who  made  me,  a  very  large  dolphin 
came  up  towards  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  looked 
me  in  the  face.  I  called  the  people  to  put  a  hook  into 
the  sea  and  take  him,  for  here  is  one  come  to  redeem 
me,  said  I  to  them ;  and  they  put  out  a  hook,  and  the 
fish  readily  took  it,  and  they  caught  him.  I  think  he 
was  about  six  feet  long,  and  the  largest  that  ever  I 
saw.  This  plainly  showed  us  that  we  ought  not  to 
distrust  the  providence  of  the  Almighty.  The  people 
were  quieted  by  this  act  of  Providence,  and  murmured 
no  more.     We  caught  enough  to  eat  plentiful  of  till 


THOMAS   CHALKLE?  117 

we  got  into  the  Capes  of  Delaware.  Thus  I  saw  it 
was  good  to  depend  upon  the  Almighty,  and  rely 
upon  his  eternal  arm ;  which,  in  a  particular  manner, 
did  preserve  us  safe  to  our  desired  port.  Blessed  be 
his  great  and  glorious  name,  through  Christ,  forever! 

I  now  stayed  at  and  about  home  for  some  time; 
after  which  I  was  concerned  to  visit  Friends  in  several 
places,  and  in  the  adjacent  provinces,  as  Maryland, 
New  Jersey,  etc.,  and  was  at  many  marriages  and 
funerals,  at  which,  many  times  we  had  good  opportu- 
nities to  open  the  way,  and  also  the  necessity,  to  be 
married  to  Christ  Jesus,  the  great  bridegroom  of  the 
soul ;  and  also  to  exhort  the  people  to  consider  and 
prepare  for  their  latter  end  and  final  change ;  which 
many  times  was  sanctified  to  divers  souls,  and  the 
Lord's  name  was  glorified,  who  is  worthy  thereof. 

In  the  year  1717,  I'  went  into  Maryland  to  look 
after  my  affairs  in  that  province ;  and  as  I  travelled, 
I  had  divers  meetings  at  Nottingham,  and  at  Bush 
river,  about  which  time,  at  Bush  river,  several  were 
convinced.  The  meeting  I  found  in  a  growing  con- 
dition in  that  which  is  good,  several  persons  meeting 
together  in  silence  to  worship  God,  according  to 
Christ's  institution,  which  was,  and  is,  and  ever  will 
be,  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  For  the  encouragement 
of  all  such,  Christ  hath  said,  that  the  Father  seeketh 
such  to  worship  him ;  and  again,  "  Where  two  01* 
three  are  met  together  in  my  name,  there  am  I  in 
the  midst  of  them."  And  if  Christ  be  in  the  midst, 
there  is  no  absolute  need  of  vocal  teaching,  except  it 


118  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

be  the  will  of  the  Lord  to  call  any  to  it.  Let  the 
spiritual  Christian  read  and  judge. 

After  my  return  I  had  several  meetings  in  the 
country,  near  Philadelphia;  and  about  the  latter  end 
of  the  Eighth  month  I  was  at  several  marriages,  one 
of  which  was  on  the  Third  day  of  the  week,  about 
fifteen  miles  above  Philadelphia,  over  Delaware  river; 
the  next  was  over  the  river  again,  about  twenty  miles 
below  the  city ;  and  the  third  was  about  twenty  miles 
further  down  the  river,  and  on  the  opposite  side  at 
Salem,  on  the  following  day;  so  that  I  crossed  the 
Delaware  river  three  times  in  three  days,  and  rode 
about  one  hundred  miles.  The  meetings  were  all 
large,  and  matter  suitable  to  the  occasion  freely 
opened  to  the  people.  These  remarks  are  not  in- 
tended to  set  up  man,  or  exalt  flesh,  but  to  stir  up 
others  to  come  up  to  the  work  of  Christ  in  their 
generation.  All  the  glory  and  goodliness  of  man  is 
but  as  the  grass,  which  soon  withers,  without  we 
dwell  in  the  root  of  true  religion,  and  in  the  holy 
life  of  Christ.  That  God  may  have  the  glory  of  all 
his  works,  is  the  end  of  all  the  labors  and  travels  of 
the  servants  and  faithful  ministers  of  Christ. 

In  the  Tenth  month,  1717,  divers  considerations 
moving  me  thereto,  I  took  a  voyage  to  Barbadoes  in 
the  "  Snow  Hope,"  J.  Curtis,  master,  and  from  thence 
to  Great  Britain  and  London ;  partly  on  account  of 
business,  and  hoping  once  more,  if  it  pleased  God,  to 
see  my  aged  father,  my  brother,  relations,  and  friends; 
which  voyage  I  undertook  in  the  solid  fear  of  God. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  119 

I  desired  the  concurrence  of  my  wife,  and  my  friends 
and  brethren  of  the  meeting  to  which  I  did  belong, 
in  this  undertaking,  the  which  I  had  in  a  general 
way,  and  the  good  wishes  and  prayers  of  many  par- 
ticulars, with  a  certificate  from  our  Monthly  Meeting, 
signifying  their  unity  with  my  conversation  and  min- 
istry, and  present  undertaking.  I  felt  the  love  and 
goodness  of  God  therein,  but  in  many  respects  it  was 
a  great  cross  to  me,  especially  leaving  my  beloved 
wife  and  children,  and  many  of  my  dear  friends, 
whom  I  loved  well  in  Christ ;  and  crossing  the  seas 
was  always  troublesome  to  me,  being  sickly,  especially 
in  windy  or  stormy  weather.  The  confinement  was 
worse  to  me  for  the  time  than  a  prison;  for  it 
would  be  much  easier  to  me  to  be  in  prison  on  land 
upon  a  good  account,  than  in  prison  at  sea,  I  always 
looking  on  a  ship  to  be  a  perilous  prison,  though  it 
was  my  lot  to  be  much  therein.  As  for  my  natural 
life,  I  always  gave  it  up  whenever  I  went  to  sea; 
and  I  thought  that  was  the  least  part  of  the  hard- 
ship, never  putting  much  value  thereon.  But  to  sea 
I  went,  for  the  reasons  mentioned,  and  got  from  Phi- 
ladelphia to  Newcastle  the  first  night  in  said  vessel, 
and  to  Elsingburgh  next  day,  where  we  lay  for  a  fair 
wind  about  two  days,  then  sailed  to  Bombay  Hook, 
where  we  met  with  two  other  vessels  bound  to  sea, 
who  waited  also  for  the  wind.  We  lay  there  two 
nights,  and  on  a  First-day  morning  set  sail,  the 
weather  being  very  cold,  and  the  ice  thick  on  the 
sides  of  our  vessel  and  on  our  ropes,     The  day  that 


120  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

we  left  Bombay-hook  we  got  out  to  sea,  took  in  our 
boat,  and  went  on  our  way ;  and  in  four  or  five  days 
we  got  into  warmer  weather. 

In  this  voyage  I  wrote  something  on  the  common 
prayer  used  by  some  of  the  Church  of  England,  whose 
conversations  were  very  loose  and  corrupt,  which  I 
entitled,  "  A  truly  tender  scruple  of  conscience  about 
that  form  of  prayer  called  the  common  prayer,  used 
by  the  Church  of  England  and  her  members,"  etc. 

In  this  voyage  we  saw  several  ships,  but  spoke 
with  none ;  and  in  twenty-seven  days  from  our  capes 
we  arrived  at  Barbadoes,  and  came  to  anchor  in  Car- 
lisle bay. 

I  had  been  twice  in  Barbadoes  before,  but  this  was 
the  quickest  passage  by  one  day.  Here  I  was  lov- 
ingly and  tenderly  received  by  my  friends.  I  took 
my  good  friend  Joseph  Gamble's  house  for  my  quar- 
ters most  of  the  time  whilst  I  stayed  on  the  island, 
and  visited  Friends'  meetings  several  times  over, 
there  being  five  of  Friends'  meeting-houses  in  the 
island,  and  our  meetings  were  sometimes  large  and 
open. 

Our  stay  was  longer  than  we  at  first  expected,  by 
reason  of  a  great  drought,  they  having  no  rain  for 
more  than  a  quarter  of  a  year,  which  was  a  great 
hinderance  to  trade  on  the  island.  While  I  was  here, 
our  ancient  Friend,  George  Gray,  died.  I  was  at  his 
funeral,  at  which  there  were  many  people;  and  on  this 
occasion  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  our  meeting-house 
at  Speights-town,  where  I  had  a  seasonable  opportu- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  121 

nity  with  the  people,  opening  to  them  the  necessity 
of  thinking  of,  and  preparing  for,  their  latter  end; 
and  pressed  them  earnestly  thereto.  They  were  gen- 
erally attentive  and  sober,  and  some  were  broken  into 
tenderness.  While  we  were  burying  the  Friend,  there 
appeared  a  dismal  cloud  hanging  over  the  island,  such 
an  one  as  I  never  saw  before.  I  thought  it  was  of  the 
color  of  the  flame  of  brimstone ;  and  expected  there 
would  have  been  a  great  storm,  or  gust,  and  much  rain, 
they  having  had  very  little  for  many  weeks,  or  some 
months ;  but  it  went  over,  and  there  was  no  rain  or 
wind  as  I  remember.  Soon  after,  some  people  came 
in  from  sea,  and  said  it  rained  ashes  from  that  cloud ; 
and  they  brought  some  to  the  island,  some  of  which 
ashes  I  now  have  before  me :  the  taste  of  them  seems 
to  me  to  be  a  little  sulphurous,  and  they  have  some 
glittering  particles  in  them;  in  color  and  smell  I 
think  they  differed  little  from  common  ashes.  Herein 
the  Almighty  and  Infinite  Being  signally  showed  his 
mercy  and  favor  to  poor  mortals;  for  had  not  his 
mercy  prevented,  he  could  as  easily  have  rained  down 
the  fire  as  the  ashes.  He  rained  fire  and  brimstone 
on  the  cities  and  inhabitants  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah 
for  their  pride  and  idleness,  much  of  which  abounds 
among  the  inhabitants  of  Barbadoes,  the  people  being 
very  luxurious.  Oh !  may  the  inhabitants  of  that  isle, 
and  all  others,  consider  their  ways  and  doings,  and 
not  provoke  the  great  Lord,  the  Sovereign  of  heaven 
and  earth,  as  many  of  them  do  by  their  evil  lives  and 

voluptuous  conversations.     May  they  kiss  the  Son, 
11 


122  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

though  not  with  a  Judas  kiss  of  profession,  01  speak- 
ing well  or  fairly  of  him  only,  but  with  divine  love 
manifested  through  obedience,  while  his  wrath  is  but 
a  little  kindled  against  them,  and  before  it  break  out 
into  a  flame. 

After  this  funeral  I  was  sent  for  to  Bridgetown,  to 
the  burial  of  a  master  of  a  ship,  a  young  man,  who 
was  very  fresh  and  well  a  few  days  before.  There 
was  a  great  appearance  of  people,  and  I  was  pretty 
largely  opened  in  the  meeting,  on  the  words  of  the 
prophet,  where  he  says,  "All  flesh  is  grass,  and  all 
the  goodliness  thereof  is  as  the  flower  of  the  field. 
The  grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth,  because  the 
spirit  of  the  Lord  bloweth  upon  it :  surely  the  people 
are  grass.  The  grass  withereth,  the  flower  fadeth; 
but  the  word  of  our  God  shall  stand  forever."  I 
treated  of  this  Word,  its  wonderfulness,  its  duration, 
and  its  work  in  man  ;  also  of  the  fading  constitution 
of  mortal  man,  though  young  and  strong,  as  that 
young  man  was  a  few  days  before,  whose  corpse  was 
then  before  us. 

I  was  at  several  other  burials  on  this  island,  which 
proves  a  grave  to  many  new-comers,  it  being  a  hot 
climate,  and  those  who  are  not  accustomed  to  it  being 
very  thirsty,  and  it  is  not  easy  to  quench  their  thirst; 
so  that  what  is  called  moderate  drinking,  throws 
many  strangers  into  a  violent  fever,  and  oftentimes  is 
the  cause  of  their  death.  I  note  this  as  a  caution  to 
those  who  may  transport  themselves  there,  that  they 
may  shun  that  danger ;  which  might  be  avoided  by 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY  123 

drinking  cool  drinks,  of  which  they  have  many  sorts 
very  pleasant,  viz.,  cane,  sugar-reed,  and  white  sorrel, 
pine,  orange,  and  divers  others.  I  advise  such,  as 
they  love  their  health,  to  refrain  from  drinking  much 
hot  drink  or  spirits. 

I  saw  several  natural  curiosities  on  this  island, 
which  among  the  great  numbers  of  the  works  of  God 
do  show  forth  his  praise  and  glory.  One  to  the  lee- 
ward part  of  this  island,  which  is  called  the  spout, 
sends  up  a  vast  body  of  water  into  the  air,  occasioned 
by  a  great  cavity  in  the  rocks  under  the  water,  which 
may  be  seen  in  calm  weather,  when  the  sea  is  low. 
"When  the  wind  blows,  a  great  body  of  water  being 
pent  in  a  large  hollow  place,  it  forces  it  up  into  the 
air,  sometimes  ten,  fifteen,  or  twenty  yards  high, 
according  as  the  strength  of  the  wind  is,  and  makes 
a  report  like  a  cannon,  or  thunder,  a  great  way  off. 
I  believe  I  have  seen  it  ten  or  twelve  miles  out  at  sea. 
I  was  also  at  a  place  called  Oliver's  Cave,  which  we 
got  to  with  some  difficulty  in  going  down  the  steep 
and  craggy  rocks.  There  is  on  the  outward  part 
next  the  sea  a  very  large  vaulted  place,  in  the  form 
of  a  half  circle,  about  one  hundred  feet  high,  as  near 
as  I  could  guess.  In  this  large  vault,  behind  a  rock, 
is  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  not  the  height  of  a  man  at 
the  first  entrance;  after  going  in  a  few  yards,  one 
may  walk  upright  comfortably,  the  bottom  being  pretty 
plain  and  smooth  for  about  a  hundred  yards,  and 
then  we  come  into  a  large  cave  which  is  formed  arch- 
wise, and  about  ten  or   fifteen   yards   high,  as  we 


124  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

thought,  being  much  higher  in  the  middle  than  at 
the  sides,  but  almost  as  regular  as  if  it  had  been  done 
hy  art,  which  we  beheld  with  admiration,  by  the  help 
of  wax  candles  and  other  lights  that  we  made  and 
carried  for  that  purpose. 

When  I  had  done  my  business  in  Barbadoes,  having 
been  there  about  thirteen  weeks,  and  loaded  our  ves- 
sel, we  sailed  the  tenth  of  the  Second  month,  1718, 
for  London. 

"We  had  a  good  passage,  being  five  weeks  and  two 
days  from  Barbadoes  to  Great  Britain,  in  which  we 
saw  several  vessels  at  sea,  but  spoke  with  none. 
After  sight  of  the  land,  we  got  in  two  days  to 
Beachy-head,  which  is  about  fifteen  leagues  from  the 
Downs  or  Deal.  We  sailed  along  the  shore  by  Folk- 
stone,  where  we  took  in  a  pilot,  and  had  a  comfortable 
passage  through  the  Downs,  and  up  the  river  Thames 
to  London,  where  I  met  with  my  dear  and  aged  father, 
and  loving  brother,  sister  and  cousins,  and  many 
others  of  my  near  and  dear  relations  and  friends. 

In  this  voyage  I  wrote  some  things  which  opened 
in  my  mind  at  sea,  upon  that  excellent  sermon  of 
Christ's  upon  the  mount,  as  it  is  recorded  in  the  holy 
Scriptures  of  the  New  Testament,  in  the  fifth,  sixth, 
and  seventh  chapters  of  the  evangelist  Matthew,  but 
have  since  heard  that  the  same  is  better  done  by  an 
abler  hand ;  and  therefore  it  may  suffice  here  to  re- 
peat the  advice,  which  in  the  course  of  my  travels  I 
have  often  had  occasion  to  give,  viz.,  that  the  pro- 
fessors of  Christianity  should   frequently  read  this 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  125 

sermon,  and  be  careful  to  practise  the  same;  that 
they  may  not  only  be  Christians  in  name,  but  in 
deed,  and  in  truth. 

After  visiting  my  relations  and  some  meetings  of 
Friends  in  and  about  London,  having  finished  my 
business,  and  being  ready  to  return  homeward,  divers 
Friends  accompanied  us  from  London  to  Gravesend ; 
and  the  wind  not  being  fair,'we  went  to  Eochester, 
and  had  a  meeting  there,  then  back  again  to  Graves- 
end,  and  there  took  a  solemn  farewell  of  our  Friends, 
recommending  one  another  to  the  grace  of  Christ, 
having  this  time  made  but  little  stay  in  Britain. 

In  the  Fifth  month,  1718,  we  sailed  from  the  Downs 
in  the  aforesaid  "  Snow  Hope,"  divers  Friends,  viz.,  John 
Danson,  Isaac  Hadwin,  John  Oxley,  Lydia  Lancaster, 
Elizabeth  Eawlinson,  and  Eebecca  Turner,  being  in 
company  with  us.  After  about  nine  weeks'  passage 
from  land  to  land,  having  had  meetings  on  First  and 
Fifth  days  on  board,  during  the  voyage,  we  came  all 
safe  and  well  to  Philadelphia,  through  the  blessing  of 
God,  where  I  stayed  with  my  family  a  few  months, 
and  took  another  voyage  for  Barbadoes  and  Britain. 
I  was  under  more  than  ordinary  concern  for  the  sup- 
port and  accommodation  of  my  family,  the  circumstances 
thereof  being  a  little  changed  by  the  increase  of  chil- 
dren, remembering  the  words  of  the  apostle,  that  those 
who  had  not  this  care  and  concern,  were  worse  than 
infidels :  my  Lord  Jesus,  whose  servant  I  profess  my- 
self to  be,  also  saying,  "  It  is  better  to  give  than  to 
receive."  An  opportunity  offering  of  the  consignment 
11* 


126  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

of  a  vessel  and  cargo,  the  "Snow  Hope,"  Warner  Holt, 
master,  to  Barbadoes,  and  from  thence  to  London, 
and  so  to  make  returns  home  again,  for  Philadelphia, 
I  embraced  it ;  though  with  reluctance  to  leave  my 
very  loving  wife,  children,  and  friends,  all  of  whom  I 
tenderly  loved  and  respected.  I  also  had  in  my  eye 
an  hope,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  to  obtain  where- 
with to  accommodate  my  friends,  who  were  strangers 
and  pilgrims  in  this  world  for  Jesus'  sake,  as  I  also 
had  been  myself;  and  that  they  might  find  a  place  or 
home,  and  refreshment  under  my  roof;  not  to  excess, 
but  to  comfort  and  edification ;  which  in  sincerity  is 
all  the  grandeur  I  covet  or  desire  in  this  world.  After 
due  consideration,  on  the  2d  day  of  the  Eleventh 
month,  1718,  we  set  sail  from  Philadelphia,  many 
Friends  taking  their  farewell  of  us  for  that  voyage. 
Thus  with  hearts  full  of  love  and  good  will,  we  parted 
with  our  friends,  and  went  down  the  river  about  five 
miles,  where  we  ran  aground,  but  got  off  next  tide,  and 
next  day  came  to  an  anchor  at  Chester.  On  the  4th 
day  of  the  month  we  set  sail,  and  got  to  Newcastle 
about  the  eleventh  hour ;  it  being  meeting-day,  we 
went  to  meeting,  where  our  great  Lord  was  pleased 
in  some  good  measure  to  own  us  with  his  living  pres- 
ence, and  comfort  us  with  his  love ;  blessed  be  his 
holy  Name !  In  the  morning  we  sailed  to  Reedy 
Island,  where  we  stayed  for  the  tide,  and  in  the  night 
our  cable  parted,  which  we  knew  not  of  until  morning, 
and  then  we  had  gone  from  the  place  where  we  an- 
chored about  a  league :  but  though  the  vessel  drove 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  127 

about  the  river,  yet  she  did  not  go  aground.  We 
dropped  our  other  anchor,  and  sent  the  boat  to  seek 
for  that  which  was  parted  from  us,  but  could  not  find 
it  until  the  next  tide,  and  then  could  not  get  it  up, 
and  were  unwilling  to  go  to  sea  without  it ;  which  oc- 
casioned us  to  stay  several  tides  before  we  could  get 
it  up ;  at  last  with  much  difficulty  we  weighed  it,  our 
men's  clothes  being  much  frozen,  for  it  was  very  cold, 
and  froze  extremely  hard.  After  this  we  went  down 
to  Bombay-hookx  where  was  another  vessel  going  out 
to  sea.  Next  day  the  wind  was  against  us,  and  it 
snowed  much,  and  froze  hard;  and  that  night  the 
river  and  bay  were  filled  with  ice  as  far  as  we  could 
see,  and  it  drove  very  hard  against  our  vessel,  so  that 
we  wished  for  day  :  for  we  thought  sometimes  it  would 
have  torn  her  bows  into  pieces ;  but  our  anchor  and 
cable  held  us,  we  thought,  to  a  miracle,  for  which  we 
were  thankful  to  the  great  Keeper  of  all  those  who 
put  their  trust  in  him.  When  the  tide  turned  for  us, 
we  got  up  the  anchor,  and  so  let  her  drive  with  the 
ice  down  the  bay ;  the  other  vessel  did  the  same. 

It  was  now  dangerous  moving,  go  which  way  we 
would.  The  vessel  in  company  with  us  attempted  to 
go  back  again,  but  seeing  that  we  did  not,  as  we 
supposed,  came  to  anchor  again,  and  we  both  went 
down  the  bay  together;  and  the  wind  springing  up 
fair,  we  got  clear  of  the  ice  in  a  few  hours'  time.  By 
this  hinderance  we  could  not  get  to  sea  that  day,  but 
were  obliged  to  come  to  anchor  near  the  middle  of 
the  great  bay  of  Delaware,  and  the  night  being  fair 


128  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  calm,  we  rode  it  out  safely,  which,  if  it  had  been 
windy  weather,  would  have  been  dangerous.  Early 
in  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  the  month,  we  got  to  sea, 
and  soon  lost  sight  of  the  land.  Next  day  the  wind 
was  high,  and  the  weather  proved  stormy  for  several 
days,  insomuch  that  our  main-deck  was  under  water 
most  of  the  time,  so  that  we  were  forced  to  go  before 
the  wind  for  several  days  together.  We  also  shut  up 
our  cabin-windows,  and  were  tossed  exceedingly,  and 
I  was  very  sea-sick  ;  and  we  began,  in  this  storm  to 
fear  falling  on  the  rocks  of  Bermuda,  which  we  were 
near,  as  we  imagined,  and  the  wind  set  right  on  the 
island.  When  we  had  passed  the  latitude  of  Bermuda, 
we  met  with  fair  weather  and  winds,  and  all  the 
remaining  part  of  our  passage  was  pleasant  and  com- 
fortable. Thus  I  was  led  to  consider  the  vicissitudes 
which  mortals  may  expect  while  in  this  unstable  life, 
which  is  full  of  changes ;  and  I  strongly  desired  to  be 
rightly  prepared  for  that  world  which  is  eternal,  and 
its  joy  and  felicity  permanent ;  at  which  blessed  port, 
I  hope  in  God's  time,  through  his  grace,  safely  to 
arrive.  Through  storms,  tempests,  ice  and  snow,  we 
left  those  frozen  climes,  and  crossed  the  tropic  of 
Cancer,  between  which  and  that  of  Capricorn  there  is 
neither  frost  nor  snow  at  sea,  at  any  time  of  the  year, 
and  the  wind  always  nearly  one  way,  viz.,  easterly, 
except  in  hurricanes  and  violent  storms,  which  some- 
times occur  in  those  parts  of  the  world.  We  arrived 
at  Bridgetown,  in  Barbadoes,  in  twenty-one  days, 
which  was  the  quickest  passage  I  ever  had,  this  being 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  129 

the  fourth  time  of  my  coming  hither,  where  I  was 
always  kindly  received  by  my  friends. 

About  this  time  war  being  declared  against  Spain 
by  the  king  of  Great  Britain,  proclamation  thereof 
was  made  in  Bridgetown,  which  put  such  a  damp  on 
trade,  that  there  was  little  business,  and  the  markets 
low  and  dull,  which  made  my  stay  longer  than  I  would 
have  chosen.  But  my  friends,  among  whom  I  had 
many  opportunities,  seemed  rather  pleased  than  other- 
wise ;  telling  me,  "  That  they  did  not  care  if  I  was  to 
stay  there  always  if  it  were  my  place:"  and  when  I 
left  Barbadoes,  they  gave  me  better  credentials  than  I 
thought  I  deserved.  A  friend  of  mine  giving  me  in- 
telligence that  the  market  was  better  at  Antigua  than 
at  Barbadoes,  I  despatched  my  affairs  and  took  part 
of  our  cargo  there,  and  was  kindly  received  by  our 
friends.  We  were  about  three  days  on  our  passage, 
and  had  fine  weather.  At  Antigua  I  had  several 
meetings  :  my  business  at  no  time  hindered  me  in  my 
more  weighty  service ;  for  I  always,  through  divine 
help,  made  that  give  way  to  my  religious  duty,  in 
which  I  ever  found  peace  and  inward  satisfaction.  In 
about  five  weeks  I  finished  my  business  in  this  island, 
having  no  small  satisfaction  in  coming  to  it ;  and  our 
vessel  being  now  loaded,  we  took  our  solemn  leave, 
and,  with  the  good  wishes  of  many,  departed  for  Eng- 
land. 

Our  friends  there  signified  to  their  brethren,  that 
they  were  glad  of  my  company,  and  that  I  was  ser- 
viceable to  them,  though  I  came  upon  business.     My 


130  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

hand,  when  need  required,  was  to  my  business,  but 
my  heart  was,  and  I  hope  is,  and  ever  shall  be,  freely 
given  up  to  serve  the  Lord,  in  that  work  whereunto 
I  believe  he  has  called  me.  We  have  liberty  from 
God  and  his  dear  Son,  lawfully,  and  for  accommoda- 
tion's sake,  to  work  or  seek  for  food  and  raiment; 
though  that  ought  to  be  a  work  of  indifferency,  com- 
pared to  the  great  work  of  salvation.  Our  Saviour 
saith,  Labor  not  for  the  meat  which  perisheth,  but 
for  that  which  endureth  forever,  or  to  eternal  life  : 
by  which  we  do  not  understand,  that  Christians  must 
neglect  their  necessary  occasions,  and  their  outward 
trades  and  callings  ;  but  that  their  chief  labor  and 
greatest  concern  ought  to  be  for  their  future  well- 
being  in  his  glorious  kingdom.  Why  did  our  Lord 
say  to  his  disciples,  Children,  have  you  any  meat? 
and  when  they  answered  No,  bid  them  cast  their  nets 
into  the  sea,  and  they  drew  to  land  a  net  full  of  great 
fishes  ?  Fishing  being  their  trade,  no  doubt  but  they 
sold  them,  for  it  was  not  likely  that  they  could  eat 
them  all  themselves.  Also  the  apostle  of  Christ  says,  ' 
He  that  doth  not  take  care  of  his  family,  is  worse 
than  an  infidel :  and  the  apostle  Paul,  the  great  apostle 
of  the  gentiles,  wrought  with  his  hands,  even  while 
he  was  on  his  travels  in  the  work  of  the  gospel ;  and 
others  tasted  of  the  benefit  of  his  labor  naturally,  as 
well  as  spiritually.  It  is  also  written,  he  that  will 
not  work,  shall  not  eat.  By  this,  and  much  more, 
which  might  be  noted,  it  appears  that  we  not  only 
have  liberty  to  labor  in  moderation,  but  we  are  given 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  131 

to  understand  that  it  is  our  duty  so  to  do.  The 
farmer,  the  tradesman,  and  the  merchant,  do  not  un- 
derstand by  our  Lord's  doctrine,  that  they  must  neglect 
their  calling,  or  grow  idle  in  their  business,  but  must 
certainly  work,  and  be  industrious  in  their  callings. 
We  all  ought  to  understand,  that  our  hearts  and 
minds  ought  to  be  out  of  the  world,  or  above  the 
nature  and  spirit  of  it.  It  is  good  and  profitable  for 
both  soul  and  body,  rightly  to  distinguish  between 
earthly  and  heavenly  things,  and  to  be  careful  how 
we  mix  the  one  with  the  other ;  for  it  is  an  eternal 
truth,  that  God  and  mammon  cannot  dwell  together, 
or  join  together  in  the  heart.  If  our  love  is  more  to 
God  than  the  creature,  or  to  heaven  than  earth,  then 
will  he  dwell  in  us,  and  with  us :  but  if  our  love  is 
more  to  the  creature  than  to  Christ,  or  to  earth  than 
heaven,  then  will  he  not  dwell  with  us,  but  will  leave 
us  to  ourselves;  for  the  Lord  Omnipotent  will  not 
admit  of  any  rival. 

On  the  11th  of  the  Fourth  month,  1719,  we  left 
Antigua,  stood  close  to  the  wind  till  we  again  crossed 
the  tropic,  and  got  into  those  latitudes  where  the 
winds  are  variable.  Sailing  in  the  great  deep,  we 
saw  the  wonders  of  the  Lord,  particularly  in  divers 
kinds  of  fish,  they  living  upon  one  another  in  the  sea, 
the  great  fishes  on  the  small  ones ;  and  mankind  too 
much  resemble  them  in  that  respect.  About  the  lat- 
itude of  thirty-three  degrees  north,  our  master,  Warner 
Holt,  seeing  a  school  of  porpoises  about  the  ship,  took 
his  harping-iron  and  struck  one  of  them,  out  of  which 


132  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

we  go  t  eleven  quart  bottles  of  oil ;  and  most  of  us  ate 
heartily  of  this  fish,  which  agreed  with  our  people 
very  well.  They  fried  the  liver  for  our  mess,  of  which 
I  ate ;  it  was  well  tasted,  and  more  like  fresh  beef  than 
fish.  I  make  this  memorandum,  that,  if  any  should 
take  them  when  their  provisions  are  scarce,  they  may 
eat  freely  without  danger,  according  to  our  experience. 
When  we  had  been  at  sea  about  three  weeks,  being 
near  the  latitude  of  forty  degrees  north,  and  about 
the  longitude  of  forty-two,  though  it  was  in  the  midst 
of  summer,  we  saw  an  island  of  ice,  at  which  we  all 
marvelled,  and  judged  that  there  had  been  a  severely 
cold  winter  in  those  latitudes  on  the  land  of  America. 
When  we  saw  this  island  of  ice,  we  judged  ourselves 
not  far  from  the  banks  of  Newfoundland.  Hitherto 
we  had  easy  gales  of  wind  and  many  calms,  which 
made  our  passage  seem  long  to  us.  We  saw  two  sail 
of  ships  about  those  latitudes,  but  spoke  with  neither, 
being  willing  to  shun  them,  as  it  was  war  time. 

We  had  in  this  voyage  weekly  meetings  for  wor- 
shipping the  Almighty,  in  which  the  great  Lord  both 
of  sea  and  land  was  pleased  to  manifest  his  name 
and  truth  amongst  us,  for  which  my  soul  often  se- 
cretly and  openly  blessed  and  praised  his  divine  and 
glorious  name  and  truth  ;  for  he  bore  up  my  drooping 
spirit,  so  that  I  could  truly  say  with  the  royal  psalm- 
ist, not  because  he  spoke  it  only,  but  also  from  being 
an  experimental  witness  thereof:  "The  floods  have 
lifted  up,  0  Lord !  the  floods  have  lifted  up  their 
voice :  the  floods  lift  up  their  waves.     The  Lord  on 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  133 

high  is  mightier  than  the  noise  of  many  waters,  yea, 
than  the  mighty  waves  of  the  sea."  This  the  king 
wrote  of  his  own  experience  in  a  spiritual  sense ;  but 
I  may  say,  without  boasting,  I  have  witnessed  the 
rage  and  noise  of  mighty  waves  and  waters,  both 
natural  and  spiritual :  the  one,  as  though  it  would 
swallow  up  my  reputation  among  men,  and  the  other, 
as  though  it  would  swallow  up  my  person  in  this 
voyage ;  but  blessed  be  the  name  of  Him  who  is  holy 
and  eternal,  who  indeed  is  stronger  than  the  noise  of 
many  waters,  or  than  the  mighty  waves  of  the  sea, 
either  inwardly  or  outwardly,  I  will  through  his 
strength  magnify  his  name,  because  he  is  worthy : 
and  may  I  do  it  forever  ! 

About  the  11th  of  the  Fifth  month  we  saw  great 
flocks  of  birds,  which  we  judged  came  from  the  Azores, 
or  Western  Islands,  near  which  we  reckoned  ourselves 
to  be.  The  21st  day  we  saw,  and  came  up  with  a 
French  ship,  which  had  been  fishing  on  the  banks  of 
Newfoundland,  and  was  bound  for  Havre-de-Grace, 
in  France,  the  master  of  which  came  on  board  of  us, 
and  our  captain  went  on  board  of  them.  We  ex- 
changed some  rum  and  sugars,  of  our  sea-stores,  for 
French  wine  and  cider,  and  some  of  our  provisions 
for  their  fish.  The  captain  was  a  Protestant,  and 
very  courteous  to  us :  the  Regent  of  France  at  this 
time  being  kind  to  the  Protestants,  so  that  they 
increased  much  in  that  kingdom.  The  Frenchman 
seeming  desirous  to  know  what  religion  I  was  of,  I 
told  him  by  an  interpreter,  that  I  was  one  called  a 
12 


134  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Quaker,  or  trembler,  and  that  our  principle  was  to  do 
good  to  all  men,  and  not  to  hurt  any  man,  according 
to  Christ's  doctrine,  not  to  render  evil  for  evil,  but  to 
overcome  evil  with  good.  When  they  went  away  and 
took  leave  of  us,  they  desired  me  to  pray  for  them, 
the  which  I  remembered  with  tenderness  of  spirit. 
Having  but  little  wind,  we  kept  company  for  several 
days ;  but  the  wind  springing  fair,  we  wished  them 
well,  and  went  on  our  way,  our  vessel  outsailing  most 
we  met  with ;  and  a  few  days  after  we  met  with  a 
New  England  ship,  which  came  out  six  days  before 
us  from  Antigua.  We  were  then  in  latitude  about 
fifty  degrees  north,  and  twenty-nine  and  a  half  longi- 
tude from  the  Land's-end  of  Great  Britain.  The  30th 
day  of  the  Fifth  month  we  sounded,  and  found  ground 
at  twenty-eight  fathoms ;  and  on  the  1st  day  of  the 
Sixth  month  we  saw  the  Land's-end  of  England,  all 
our  company  being  in  health  and  well ;  for  which  my 
heart  was  truly  thankful  to  that  great  and  infinite 
Being  whose  providence  is  over  us  poor  mortals  in  all 
parts  of  the  world,  and  who  reigns  over  sea  and  land, 
and  is  worthy  of  adoration,  worship,  service,  and  liv- 
ing praise  forever ! 

In  a  few  days  we  came  into  the  English  channel, 
and  while  going  up,  there  came  one  of  the  king's 
yachts,  and  pressed  most  of  our  men,  taking  from  us 
our  best  hands  and  carrying  them  on  board  a  man- 
of-war  ;  after  which  we  came  to  anchor  at  Folkstone, 
where  I  left  the  vessel,  and  got  a  horse  to  Dover,  and 
there  took  coach  to  London.  In  the  coach  were  some 
persons  who  began  to  talk  about  the  Quakers,  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  135 

spoke  against  their  plain  way  of  living  and  clothing, 
and  said,  "  They  did  not  understand  their  unfashion- 
able way  of  conversation ;  neither  was  it  the  way  to 
gain  proselytes."  Upon  which  I  asked  them  whether 
they  understood  Paul,  the  great  apostle  of  the  gen- 
tiles, who  said,  "  Be  ye  not  conformed  to  this  world," 
i.  e.,  the  fashions  of  it,  for  this  reason,  the  world  and 
the  fashions  thereof  pass  away ;  which  is  a  great 
truth.  We  plainly  see  how  fickle  and  changeable 
the  world  is  in  its  vain  fashions  and  customs,  and  to 
follow  it  in  all  its  foolish  cuts  and  turns,  or  changes, 
must  make  a  man  or  woman  very  foppish  and  apish. 
I  told  them  that  our  religion  was  agreeable  to  the 
holy  Scriptures,  which,  if  they  did  not  understand, 
neither  could  they  understand  us ;  for  the  doctrine 
of  Christ  and  his  apostles  was  generally  very  plain 
therein  ;  and  the  doctrine  in  Christ's  excellent  sermon 
on  the  mount  is  clear  to  very  low  or  mean  capacities. 
They  discoursed  no  more  of  religion  till  we  came  to 
London.  Here  I  met  once  more  my  loving  and  aged 
father,  a  man  fearing  God,  and  having  a  gift  of  the 
ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  well  beloved  of 
his  friends  and  neighbors,  who,  with  others  of  my 
near  and  dear  relations  and  friends,  received  me 
gladly. 

After  some  months'  stay  among  my  relations  and 
friends  in  London,  we  sold  our  vessel,  the  "Snow 
Hope,"  and  bought  a  ship  which  we  called  the  "  Trine 
Hope,"  Warner  Holt,  master;  and  when  I  had  done  my 
business,  I  sailed  in  her  for  Pennsylvania.  We  had 
meetings  on  board  the  vessel  twice  a  week,  in  which 


136  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

the  Almighty  was  pleased  to  favor  us  wi  th  his  good 
presence.  Sobriety,  'and  the  fear  of  God,  and  faith 
in  his  beloved  Son,  Christ,  were  often  recommended 
Jo  the  youth  on  board  the  vessel  with  us,  of  whom 
there  were  several  going  'to  America,  in  order  to 
settle  there.  At  one  meeting  I  was  tenderly  con- 
cerned to  remind  them  of  Jacob,  who  in  his  youth 
left  his  country  and  relations  to  sojourn  in  a  strange 
land,  and  how  in  that  undertaking  he  sought  the 
Lord  and  his  blessing,  more  than  any  outward  thing; 
and  that  he  was  greatly  blessed  with  many  favors 
from  heaven  above,  and  also  of  the  earth  beneath, 
and  they  were  advised  to  take  him  for  their  example. 
Many  other  things  were  tenderly  opened  to  them  in 
the  love  of  God,  and  in  his  fear  and  counsel  they 
were  exhorted  from  time  to  time. 

It  being  winter  time,  we  sailed  to  the  southward, 
and  got  into  warm  weather,  and  were  on  our  passage 
seven  weeks  and  some  days,  in  which  time  we  saw 
several  vessels,  and  spoke  one  whose  people  said  they 
were  chased  by  a  Turk,  but  got  from  him,  at  which 
they  greatly  rejoiced.  We  apprehended  it  was  our 
ship  that  they  saw  overnight,  for  we  saw  a  sail  that 
crowded  from  us  as  fast  as  she  could,  and  it  being 
near  night,  we  shortened  sail,  and  she  left  us.  In  the 
morning  we  came  up  with  her,  and  being  pretty  near, 
they  and  we  put  out  our  colors,  and  being  both  Eng- 
lishmen, we  spoke  to  each  other,  and  were  glad  to 
meet  with  some  of  our  own  nation  upon  the  great 
ocean  ;  but  our  vessel  sailing  best,  we  took  our  leave 
of  them,  wishing  them  a  good  voyage.     We  met  with 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  137 

rough  seas  and  high  winds  in  the  latter  part  of  our 
passage,  till  we  came  to  the  capes  of  Delaware,  which 
we  all  rejoiced  to  see ;  and  had  a  pleasant  passage  up 
the  bay  and  river  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  had  onoe 
more  a  comfortable  meeting  with  my  dear  wife  and 
family,  which  I  gratefully  acknowledged  as  a  high 
favor  from  the  hand  of  the  Almighty. 

"We  arrived  at  Philadelphia  the  1st  of  the  Second 
month,  1720;  after  which  I  stayed  about  home  for 
some  time,  and  was  not  idle,  but  kept  to  my  business, 
and  to  meetings ;  and  having  a  desire  to  see  Friends 
in  the  province  of  Maryland,  at  their  General  Meet- 
ing at  "West  river,  I  was  accompanied  by  Isaac  Nor- 
ris  and  Thomas  Masters,  both  sober  young  men.  It 
had  been  a  time  of  much  rain,  and  the  waters  being 
high,  going  over  a  ford  of  Brandywine,  my  mare  got 
among  the  rocks,  it  being  a  very  rocky  creek,  and 
fell  down.  The  stream  being  very  strong,  she  rolled 
upon  me,  and  being  entangled  with  the  stirrup,  I 
could  not  easily  clear  myself,  but  I  gave  a  spring, 
and  swam  from  her.  "When  I  was  clear  I  got  to  her 
again;  and  laid  hold  of  her  mane,  and,  through  the 
good  providence  of  God,  got  well  out  on  dry  land, 
which  was  a  remarkable  deliverance.  In  three  days 
we  got  to  "West  river,  to  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which 
was  large;  and  Friends  were  glad  to  see  me,  I  having 
not  been  there  for  several  years.  I  was  out  on  this 
journey  about  two  weeks,  and  rode  about  three  hun- 
dred miles ;  and  after  coming  home,  I  travelled  much 

in  the  provinces  of  Pennsylvania  and  New  Jersey. 
12* 


138  THE   JOURNAL    OF 


CHAPTER,    V. 

1721-1724. 

Several  Religious  Visits  —  Extraordinary  Circumstance  /elated 
by  J.  Dickinson  —  Loss  of  Children  —  Faith  and  Works  —  Ne- 
cessity for  Adherence  to  Primitive  Faith  and  Manners  —  Travels 
in  New  Jersey  —  Unjust  Censures  —  Labors  near  Philadelphia  — 
Epistle  to  Friends  in  Barbadoes  —  Journey  to  Long  Island  — 
Dispute  about  Conscience  —  Serious  Accident  —  Letter  respect- 
ing Baptism  —  Earthquake  and  Whirlwind  —  Sore  Trials. 

In  the  year  1721,  Thomas  Lightfoot  and  I,  with 
William  Brown,  went  to  a  meeting  at  Bush  river, 
and  going  over  Susquehanna  ferry,  the  people  were 
fiddling  and  dancing.  When  the  dance  was  over,  I 
asked  them,  believing  them  to  be  Protestants,  if  they 
thought  Luther  to  be  a  good  man  ?  They  replied, 
"Yes,  there  was  no  doubt  of  it."  "Well,"  said  I, 
"  and  so  do  I ;  and  I  will  tell  you  what  he  says  con- 
cerning dancing,  '  That  as  many  paces  as  a  man  takes 
in  his  dance,  so  many  steps  he  takes  towards  hell ; ' " 
which  spoiled  their  sport,  and  they  went  away,  and 
we  went  on  ours  towards  the  meeting;  and  a  good 
meeting  it  was.  After  it  we  returned  by  way  of  Not- 
tingham, and  had  a  meeting  there,  and  one  at  New 
Garden,  and  so  on  to  Philadelphia.  I  was  from  home 
about  a  week,  and  travelled  in  this  journey  about 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  139 

one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  and  was  well  satisfied 
therein. 

From  Philadelphia  I  went  to  the  General  Meeting 
at  Shrewsbury,  in  East  Jersey,  where  I  heard  of  J. 
G.'s  being  wounded  by  a  young  man  with  a  sword, 
of  which  he  died,  lamenting  that  he  did  not  take  the 
counsel  of  his  friends, —  as  young  men  who  slight  the 
counsel  of  those  that  wish  them  well  commonly  do, 
either  sooner  or  later,  if  the  day  of  their  visitation 
be  not  over.  Some  few  days  after  this  meeting  at 
Shrewsbury,  I  visited  Friends  on  Long  Island,  and 
returned  home  again,  having  travelled  about  three 
hundred  miles.  During  my  stay  at  and  about  home, 
I  wrote  something  concerning  Perfection,  in  answer 
to  a  nameless  author  :  also  something-  concerning;  Pre- 
destination,  or  Election  and  Reprobation. 

In  the  year  1722,  I  went  back  in  the  woods  to 
Buckingham,  the  Great  Swamp,  Perkioming,  Mana- 
tawny,  and  Oley,  where  I  had  meetings,  travelling 
over  mountains,  from  which  we  could  see  many  miles. 
After  staying  some  time  at  home  and  visiting  neigh- 
boring meetings,  I  went  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  of 
Friends  on  Long  Island,  which  was  very  large,  many 
people  not  of  our  persuasion  being  there,  who  were 
very  sober.  Many  things  were  opened  in  the  love  of 
Christ,  and  his  great  love  was  largely  declared  to  the 
congregation.  The  parable  concerning  the  prodigal 
son  came  before  me  to  speak  of  in  a  very  moving 
manner,  and  strongly  to  invite  the  youth  to  lay  hold 
of  the  love  of  the  Father  in  his  Son  to  poor  souls : 


140  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  indeed  it  is  a  wonderful  parable,  setting  forth  the 
infinite  love  of  the  great  Lord  of  all  to  his  poor  crea- 
tures. Many  were  affected  and  reached  at  this  meeting, 
and  the  Almighty  was  praised  and  glorified,  who  alone 
is  worthy. 

I  had  a  meeting  at  New  York,  and  then  set  forward 
to  Woodbridge,  where  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting. 
Naaman,  the  Assyrian,  was  the  subject  of  that  day's 
work ;  and  that  anything,  loved  and  esteemed  more 
than  Christ,  whatever  it  be,  is  to  be  avoided,  and  the 
people  were  warned  to  be  careful  to  keep  close  to  the 
God  of  spiritual  Israel,  and  to  give  up  all  which  is 
contrary  to  his  nature,  and  to  take  up  Christ's  cross 
and  follow  him ;  for  it  is  those  who  follow  him  in  the 
regeneration,  that  are  to  be  heirs  of  his  kingdom. 

In  this  year  I  was  at  the  burial  of  our  friend  Jona- 
than Dickinson,  at  which  we  had  a  very  large  meeting ; 
he  being  a  man  generally  well  beloved  by  his  friends 
and  neighbors.  In  the  meeting  held  on  the  occasion, 
a  passage  which  he  had  often  told  me  in  his  health, 
was  brought  to  my  remembrance,  and  I  think  it 
worthy  to  be  recorded,  which  is  as  follows  :  "  It  hap- 
pened at  Port  Koyal,  in  Jamaica,  that  two  young  men 
were  at  dinner  with  Jonathan  and  several  other 
people  of  account  in  the  world,  and  they  were  speaking 
about  earthquakes,  there  having  been  one  in  that 
place  formerly,  which  was  very  dreadful,  and  destroyed 
many  houses  and  families.  These  two  young  men 
argued  that  earthquakes  and  all  other  things  came  by 
nature,  and  denied  a  supernatural  power,  or  deity, 


THOMAS  CHALKLEY.  141 

insomuch  that  some  persons,  surprised  at  suet  wicked 
discourse,  and  ashamed  of  their  company,  left  it.  At 
the  same  time  the  earth  shook  and  trembled  exceed- 
ingly, as  though  astonished  at  such  treason  against 
its  Sovereign  and  Creator,  whose  footstool  it  is.  When 
the  earth  thus  moved,  the  company  which  remained 
were  so  astonished,  that  some  ran  one  way  and  some 
another,  but  these  two  atheistical  young  men  stayed 
in  the  room,  and  Jonathan  with  them,  he  believing 
that  the  providence  of  Almighty  God  could  preserve 
him  there,  if  he  pleased,  and  if  not,  that  it  was  in  vain 
to  fly.  But  the  hand  of  God  smote  these  two  young 
men,  so  that  they  fell  down ;  and  as  Jonathan  told 
me,  he  laid  one  on  a  bed  and  the  other  on  a  couch, 
and  they  never  spoke  more,  but  died  soon  after.  This 
wras  the  amazing  end  of  these  young  men."  A  dreadful 
example  to  all  atheists  and  dissolute  and  wicked  livers. 
Oh  !  that  young  people  might  be  warned,  that  the  hand 
of  God  migjrt  be  upon  them  for  good,  and  that  they 
would  be  tenderly  concerned  for  their  salvation. 

On  the  30th  of  the  Fourth  month,  1723,  my  tenth 
child,  named  Thomas,  died  about  midnight,  having 
before  buried  nine.  It  was  some  exercise  to  me  thus 
to  bury  my  children  one  after  another ;  but  this  re- 
flection a  little  mitigated  my  sorrow,  viz.,  I  knew  that 
if  I  could  have  all  things  relating  to  them  according 
to  my  desire,  could  I  see  them  grow  up  to  be  sober 
men  and  women,  well  married,  have  a  competency  in 
the  world,  etc.,  yet  it  was  safer  and  better  for  them, 
and  they  more  out  of  danger,  to  be  taken  away  in  their 


142  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

infancy  and  innocency.  I  fervently  begged  the  Al- 
mighty, that  he  would  be  pleased  to  take  them  away 
while  innocent,  rather  than  that  they  should  live  to 
be  vicious  or  unrighteous  men  and  women,  and  to 
bring  scandal  on  the  holy  name  of  Christ,  and  upon 
our  Christian  profession  ;  which  considerations  tended 
to  settle  and  quiet  my  mind  in  my  sorrowful  exercise. 
The  great  Lord  of  all  sanctify  the  sorrows  and  afflic- 
tions of  his  people  and  children,  and  grant  them  the 
fulfilling  of  that  blessed  portion  of  holy  Scripture,  that 
all  things  shall  work  together  for  the  good  of  them 
that  love  and  fear  him :  even  so  be  it,  saith  my  soul. 

In  the  Sixth  month  of  this  year  I  removed  from  the 
city  into  the  country,  to  a  small  plantation  I  had  at 
Frankford,  in  order  to  be  more  retired,  and  for  health's 
sake,  etc.,  finding  some  decline  in  my  bodily  strength, 
which  I  take  to  be  very  much  owing  to  the  severe 
colds  and  hardships  I  have  sustained  in  my  long  and 
hard  travels,  especially  in  the  wilderness  pi  America. 
Without  vanity  I  may  say,  that  I  always  loved  tem- 
perance, and  have  been  sometimes  zealously  concerned 
to  preach  against  intemperance ;  and  though  I  cannot 
now  take  as  long  journeys  as  formerly,  my  spirit  ear- 
nestly travels  for  the  welfare  of  Zion,  and  the  peace 
and  prosperity  of  all  those  who  love,  fear,  and  serve 
God,  and  believe  in  his  Son. 

On  the  6th  day  of  the  Eighth  month,  it  pleased  God 
to  give  me  another  son,  whom  I  named  George,  after 
my  father,  brother,  nephew,  and  king ;  and  though 
this  name  is  now  a  great  name  among  men,  I  consid- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  143 

ered  that  no  name  can  preserve  life,  so  I  gave  him  up  to 
the  will  of  Him  who  gave  him  to  me,  and  desire,  if  I 
have  no  name  through  children  to  posterity,  I  may 
have  a  name  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life,  which  I  have 
ever  esteemed  far  above  a  name  amongst  men. 

After  my  removal  to  this  place  I  was  not  idle,  but 
visited  neighboring  meetings,  and  in  the  Eighth  month 
I  went  to  Shrewsbury  General  Meeting,  where  there 
were  many  hundreds  of  people,  and  the  truth  declared 
had  good  impression  upon  the  minds  of  many ;  some 
after  meeting,  who  were  not  of  our  Society,  acknowl- 
edged to  it,  and  that  they  were  glad  they  were  there. 
In  this  meeting  I  was  concerned  for  the  welfare  of 
mankind,  and  the  exaltation  of  the  holy  name  of  the 
Almighty,  to  declare  the  universal  love  of  God  to  man, 
from  several  texts  of  holy  Scripture,  as  that  passage 
of  Jacob  and  Esau,  and  Peter  and  Cornelius,  and 
something  concerning  the  objection  made  against  us, 
the  people  called  Quakers,  that  we  do  not  acknowl- 
edge the  holy  Scriptures  to  be  the  word  of  God ;  for 
though  we  believe  that  the  Scriptures  came  by  divine 
inspiration,  yet  we  are  clearly  convinced  by  their 
testimony,  and  by  the  spirit  of  Truth  in  our  hearts, 
that  Christ  is  the  eternal  Word  of  God,  by  whom  all 
things  were  made  and  created,  and  do  still  exist. 

From  Shrewsbury,  with  divers  other  Friends,  I 
rode  to  Crosswicks,  where,  on  the  Fifth  day,  we  had 
a  very  comfortable  meeting,  in  which  the  ancient  love 
and  goodness  of  our  heavenly  Father  was  with  us, 
tendering  our  hearts  into  tears  of  joy,  some  of  us 


144  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

being  likewise  affected  in  remembrance  of  the  good- 
ness of  the  Almighty  to  us,  in  the  meeting  we  had  in 
this  place  under  the  trees,  about  twenty-five  years 
since.  The  great  subject  of  faith  and  works  was 
spoken  to;  as,  that  the  Koman  Catholics  seemed  to 
lay  too  much  stress  on  works,  and  the  Lutherans, 
Calvinists,  and  others,  too  little :  but  our  principles 
led  us  to  join  both  together;  the  Almighty  having 
joined  them  together,  none  ought  to  separate  them. 
This  subject  of  faith  and  works  having  been  much  in 
debate  amongst  professed  Christians,  it  is  on  my  mind 
here  to  mention  a  few  things  deduced  from  the  best 
authority : 

The  first   is,  "Without   faith,  it  is  impossible   to 
please  God." 

Second,  "  Faith  is  the  gift  of  God." 

Third,  "Faith  works  by  love." 

Fourth,  "  Faith  is  the  evidence  of  things  not  seen, 
and  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for." 

Fifth,  "  Faith  without  works  is  dead." 

Sixth,  "The  just  live  by  faith." 

Seventh,  "  Ye  believe  "  or  have  faith  "  in  God,  be- 
lieve also  in  me." 

The  author  to  the  Hebrews  speaks  excellently  con- 
cerning the  power  of  faith,  and  the  mighty  wonders 
wrought  by  it.  This  living,  saving,  true  and  divine 
faith  must  be  in  the  heart,  through  and  in  Jesus 
Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living  God,  who  is,  and  always 
will  be,  the  author  and  finisher  of  it  in  every  true 
believer. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  145 

After  I  came  from  Shrewsbury,  I  visited  neighbor' 
ing  meetings,  and  in  Chester  county,  where  I  had 
meetings  for  nine  days  successively,  some  of  which 
were  very  large,  particularly  at  Providence  and 
Goshen ;  in  which  I  was  opened  to  exhort  them  to 
keep  to  that  plain,  honest  way  of  life  and  conversation 
which  our  fathers  and  elders  were  found  in,  and  to 
remind  them  of  the  sufferings  they  endured  for  their 
testimony  to  the  blessed  truth,  in  the  first  breaking 
forth  thereof  in  the  last  age.  I  was  also  concerned 
to  show  them,  that  the  Almighty,  who  had  blessed  us 
with  plenty  of  temporal  blessings,  would  continue  the 
same  to  us,  if  we  were  careful  to  live  in  his  fear ;  but 
that  otherwise  we  might  expect  his  judgments  for 
disobedience. 

And  after  my  return,  I  continued  about  home  for 
some  time,  it  being  the  winter  season  and  bad  travel- 
ling, and  I  not  so  capable  of  travelling  as  formerly ; 
but  I  had  great  peace  and  tranquillity  of  mind  in 
that  I  had  freely  given  up  my  youthful  days  to  serve 
my  Creator,  and  the  same  love  and  zeal  was  yet  fresh 
and  warm  in  my  heart,  for  the  glory  of  his  great 
name ;  and  I  still  have  a  full  resolution  through  his 
strength  and  grace  to  serve  him,  the  great  Lord  of 
all,  during  the  remainder  of  my  days,  according  to 
the  light  and  strength  given  to  me. 

Our  Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia  this  year  was 
large,  in  which  our  friend  Benjamin  Kid,  from  Eng- 
land, being  with  us,  had  good  service.  I  cannot  forget 
a  concern  which  was  upon  me  at  this  meeting,  that 

13 


146  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

the  universal  love  of  God,  through  Christ,  might  pre- 
vail amongst  mankind,  and  to  press  Friends  to  mani- 
fest to  all  people  the  influence  thereof,  by  their 
exemplary  lives  and  conversation. 

In  the  Second  month,  1724, 1  went  into  New  Jersey, 
as  far  as  Shrewsbury,  where,  on  a  First  day,  we  had 
a  large  meeting  to  general  satisfaction  ;  and  the  next 
day  we  had  another,  wherein  the  love  and  good  will 
of  God,  through  Christ,  was  opened  freely  to  the 
people,  and  our  duty  to  forgive  one  another  was 
largely  treated  of;  and  it  was  plainly  shown,  that 
without  forgiving  others,  we  could  not  be  forgiven  of 
God,  as  Christ  saith,  "  If  ye  forgive  men  their  tres- 
passes, your  heavenly  Father  will  also  forgive  you : 
but  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neither 
will  your  heavenly  Father  forgive  your  trespasses." 
Much  more  was  said  to  the  same  effect  on  that  subject; 
as  also  Christ's  answer  to  Peter,  who  asked,  how  often 
a  man  should  forgive  his  brother  if  he  trespassed 
against  him  ?  Peter  says,  till  seven  times  :  our  Lord 
Jesus  answers,  "  I  say  not  unto  thee,  until  seven  times, 
but  until  seventy  times  seven."  And  again,  Christ 
says,  "  If  thy  brother  trespass  against  thee  seven  times 
in  a  day,  and  seven  times  in  a  day  turn  again  unto 
thee,  saying,  I  repent,  thou  shalt  forgive  him."  Which 
hard-hearted  people  think  a  great  hardship,  but 
Christ's  cross  must  be  taken  up  and  borne  daily,  if 
we  will  be  his  disciples  and  followers  in  deed  and  in 
truth,  as  well  as  in  profession. 

After  we  had  reconciled  some  differences  at  Shrews- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  147 

bury,  we  went  to  a  place  called  Manesquan,  and  had 
a  good,  open  meeting,  and  most  of  the  people  of  that 
place  were  there.  It  was  a  good  time,  and  I  hope 
the  opportunity  will  not  soon  be  forgotten  by  divers. 
From  this  place  we  travelled  to  Crosswicks,  and  had 
a  good  meeting,  after  which  a  Friend  told  me  some 
would  say,  "  I  spoke  by  information,  because  I  had 
opened  some  matters  which  were  exactly  to  the  state 
of  some  there."  But  I  knew  nothing  of  their  con- 
dition, otherwise  than  as  it  was  then  immediately 
opened  in  my  mind;  neither  had  I  been  told  any- 
thing concerning  them,  directly  or  indirectly.  From 
thence  we  travelled  to  Burlington,  where  the  Monthly 
Meeting  of  Friends  had  desired  that  I  would  assist 
in  ending  a  difference  which  had  happened  through 
mistake,  and  continued  for  about  seven  years. 
Through  divine,  assistance,  our  hearts  being  filled 
with  the  love  of  Christ,  we  so  prevailed  upon  the 
differing  persons,  that  they  gave  each  other  satisfac- 
tion, with  hopes  that  they  should  live  in  love  for  the 
future ;  and  Friends  of  the  place  greatly  rejoiced  at 
the  end  of  that  difference.  As  I  went  along  this 
town,  some  Friends  told  me  of  a  religious  people  a 
few  miles  distant,  with  whom  they  desired  I  would 
have  a  meeting.  I  requested  them  to  see  if  it  would 
be  granted,  and  let  me  know ;  which  was  done ;  and 
we  had  a  meeting,  and  were  kindly  received,  and  the 
divine  nature  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  was  freely 
opened  to  them,  and  in  great  love  we  parted  from 
one  another.     I  travelled  in  this  journey  about  two 


148  THE   JOUENAL    OF 

hundred  miles ;  and  when  I  came  home,  my  dear  wifa 
and  family  gladly  received  me  with  hearts  full  of  love. 
And  this  testimony  I  think  proper,  for  several  solid 
reasons,  to  leave  behind  me,  of  my  virtuous  and  lov- 
ing wife,  that  since  we  were  married,  she  never  hin- 
dered me  in  the  service  my  great  Master  called  me 
to,  in  all  the  time  of  our  living  together;  we  always 
parted  for  the  sake  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  in  pure 
love,  and  in  the  same  love  met  again. 

Soon  after  this  time  I  met  with  several  great  losses 
by  sea  and  land,  and  myself  and  my  daughter  were 
dangerously  sick,  so  that  our  recovery  seemed  doubt- 
ful ;  yet,  through  the  mercy  of  God,  we  both  recov- 
ered, for  which  I  praise  his  name. 

After  some  stay  at  home,  I  was  moved  in  the  love 
of  Christ  to  visit  the  General  Meetings  of  Duck 
Creek  and  Salem.  At  Duck  creek  we  had  a  large 
and  satisfactory  meeting,  and  I  appointed  one  at 
George's  creek,  which  was  a  good  meeting.  The 
next  morning  we  went  over  to  Elsinburgh,  and  so  on 
to  Cohansie,  where  I  met  wfth  two  of  my  fellow-la- 
borers in  the  work  of  Christ,  Thomas  Lightfoot  and 
Benjamin  Kid.  We  had  a  meeting  together  at  Co- 
hansie, in  which  the  people  were  exhorted  to  sobriety 
and  just  dealing.  The  contrary  of  both  is  too  obvious 
at  such  times  as  fairs ;  there  being  divers  people  there 
from  the  fair,  as  well  as  others  :  the  nature  of  Christ's 
work  in  the  heart  was  somewhat  spoken  to,  but  it  was 
not  so  open  a  meeting  as  some  others,  the  people 
thereaway  being  too  slack  and  dull  as  to  religion. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  149 

Next  day  we  had  a  meeting  at  Alloway's  creek, 
where  we  all  three  had  some  pretty  close  work ;  and 
from  thence  we  went  to  the  General  Meeting  at 
Salem,  which  was  larger  than  common,  on  account 
of  the  said  Friend  Benjamin  Kid  being  there :  who, 
in  the  love  of  Christ,  came  from  England  to  visit  the 
churches  in  this  part  of  the  world.  There  were  so 
many  Friends  and  others  here  at  this  time,  that  some 
houses  were  so  filled,  there  was  not  room  for  all  who 
came  to  lodge.  After  this  meeting  I  returned  home, 
and  in  a  few  days  went  into  Chester  county,  and  trav- 
elled about  a  hundred  miles ;  and  when  I  came  home, 
I  understood  that  some  for  want  of  a  true  sense  of  the 
work  of  Christ,  had  been  censuring  me  for  my  much 
travelling  and  hard  labor  in  the  work  of  the  ministry 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ;  though  by  the  same  rule 
of  judging,  the  apostles  of  Christ  and  our  ancient 
Friends,  who  travelled  much,  cannot  escape  their 
censure ;  for  in  all  my  travels  I  have  had  an  especial 
regard  to  the  unity  of  the  brethren,  and  never  know- 
ingly went  abroad  witkout  it.  Let  this  caution  be 
recorded  for  the  instruction  of  all  such  forward  judges; 
let  them  be  careful  of  judging  Christ's  servants,  lest 
their  words  become  their  burden :  "  Judge  not  that 
ye  be  not  judged,"  saith  our  great  Lord,  "  for  with 
what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye  shall  be  judged." 

Soon  after  my  return  from  Chester  county,  I  was 
at  a  marriage  at  Abington,  which  was  one  of  the  most 
solemn  I  have  been  at ;  and  on  the  15th  of  the  Third 
month,  attended  the  youths'  meeting  at  Germantown, 

13* 


150  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

to  my  great  satisfaction.  On  the  23d  of  the  same 
month  I  went  to  the  General  Meeting  of  ministers 
and  elders  at  Burlington ;  at  which  meeting  several 
things  relating  to  the  gospel  ministry  were  declared ; 
as  its  being  a  free,  a  clear,. and  a  powerful  ministry, 
reaching  to  the  conscience,  and  convincing  of  the 
danger  of  continuing  in  sin :  and  divine  charity  was 
much  recommended,  without  which  all  ministry  is 
but  as  sounding  brass,  etc.  From  this  meeting  I 
went  with  Walter  Herbert  into  Bucks  county,  and  at 
Neshaminy  we  had  an  open,  tender  meeting.  From 
thence  I  went  to  Buckingham,  and  was  at  a  marriage 
of  a  son  and  daughter-in-law  of  Thomas  Canby.  The 
meeting  was  large,  and  Friends  well  satisfied;  and  it 
was  observable,  though  I  was  very  hoarse,  through 
a  cold  I  had  taken,  and  could  hardly  speak  in  common 
conversation,  yet  it  was  much  taken  away  in  my  min- 
istry, so  that  I  was  carried  through  the  service  to  our 
admiration,  for  which  I  was  truly  thankful.  After 
this  meeting  I  returned  home  with  true  satisfaction, 
such  as  is  much  more  valuable  than  silver  and  gold, 
two  mighty  idols  in  the  world. 

After  a  little  stay  at  home  I  went  on  a  First  day 
to  North  Wales,  or  Gwynnedd,  where  was  a  pretty 
large  meeting  and  many  young  people,  to  whom  I 
was  concerned  to  show  that  Christ  is  the  way  by 
which  we  must  come  into  the  true  church,  through 
regeneration,  and  that  all  who  invent  other  ways  are 
thieves  and  robbers.  I  rode  twenty-five  miles  that 
day,  and  the  next  day  came  to  Frankford,  and  was 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  151 

at  the  burial  of  an  ancient  Friend,  Joan  Orpwood,  at 
which  was  our  friend  John  Salkeld,  with  whom  I  was 
the  next  day  at  Philadelphia,  at  our  Third-day  meet- 
ing, which  was  a  good  one. 

On  the  4th  day  of  the  Fourth  month,  intending 
soon  to  take  a  journey  to  Long  Island,  and  consider- 
ing the  uncertainty  of  life,  I  thought  it  a  proper  time 
to  alter  my  will,  as  I  had  kept  one  by  me  for  divers 
years  before.  On  the  5th  of  the  Fourth  month,  I 
went  to  Merion  to  visit  an  ancient  Friend,  John 
Roberts,  who  was  sick  near  unto  death,  where  I 
again  met  with  John  Salkeld.  The  Friend  expressed 
his  satisfaction  in  this  visit,  and  we  had  a  reward  of 
peace  in  the  exercise  of  that  Christian  duty  of  visiting 
the  sick,  which  is  recommended  by  the  apostle  to  the 
primitive  Churches  of  Christ.  After  we  had  been 
some  time  with  our  said  sick  friend,  we  went  to  a 
meeting  appointed  for  us  several  days  before,  which 
was  large  and  satisfactory,  for  which  favorable  visita- 
tion we  blessed  the  great  name  of  the  Almighty,  and 
parted  tenderly  in  Christian  love  and  good  will.  The 
Friend  we  went  to  visit,  died  the  next  day.  He  was 
a  helper  of  the  poor,  and  a  maker  of  peace  in  the 
neighborhood ;  of  such  Christ  said,  "  Blessed  are  the 
peacemakers,  for  they  shall  be  called  the  children 
of  God." 

On  the  10th  of  the  Fourth  month,  1724,  I  had  a 
concern  to  write  the  following  epistle  to  Friends  in 
the  island  of  Barbadoes. 


152  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

"Frankford,  10th  of  Fourth  month,  1724. 

"Dear  Friends,  —  In  the  tender  love  of  God,  our 
heavenly  Father,  and  of  our  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ, 
do  I,  your  orother,  at  this  time  greet  you,  and  wish 
you  health  and  salvation.  Understanding  by  a  con- 
cerned Friend,  that  of  late  several  of  our  Friends  have 
been  taken  away  from  you  by  death,  a  concern  came 
on  me  to  put  you  in  remembrance  of  your  latter  end, 
and  of  the  cause  of  Christ ;  and  also  of  the  prosper- 
ity of  his  blessed  light  and  truth  in  your  (in  that 
respect  poor,  though  in  some  others,  rich  and  luxu- 
rious) island.  The  posterity  of  many  who  have  been 
taken  away  there,  as  well  as  in  divers  other  places, 
having  gone  astray ;  let  a  weighty  concern  come  upon 
you,  that  it  may  not  be  so  with  those  who  are  left 
behind.  Oh !  dear  Friends !  let  your  practices  and 
expressions  manifest  to  the  rising  generation,  that 
the  welfare  of  their  souls,  more  than  of  their  bodies, 
is  at  heart  with  you ;  and  do  not  indulge  them  in 
that  which  you  were  convinced  to  be  of  an  evil  ten- 
dency, when  your  hearts  were  first  reached  by  the 
power  of  Truth.  How  many  youths  have  been  lost 
through  the  looseness  of  the  example  of  their  elders, 
and  through  an  undue  indulgence  of  them  in  vanity, 
folly,  pride,  and  idleness !  woful  experience  doth  but 
too  much  declare  that  they  are  many.  Oh !  they 
are  many  indeed,  who  have  been  lost  by  so  doing ! 
wherefore,  dear  Friends,  clear  yourselves  of  your 
children ;  and  if  they  will  obstinately  go  astray,  faith- 
fully bear  your  testimony  against  them,  in  life,  doc- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  153 

trine,  expressions,  and  conversation,  which  will  wit- 
ness for  you  when  you  are  dead  and  gone,  and  your 
heads  laid  in  the  silent  grave.  Thus  will  your  youth, 
through  the  blessing  of  God  and  your  endeavors,  come 
up  in  your  places,  or  at  least  you  will  be  clear,  and 
their  blood  will  be  upon  their  own  heads.  A  pure, 
strict  watch  is  required  of  you  in  conversation,  in 
all  those  relations.  First,  that  God  may  be  glori- 
fied. Secondly,  that  your  children  may  be  exampled. 
Thirdly,  that  your  neighbors  may  be  edified,  or  built 
up  in  pure  religion.  And  fourthly,  that  you  may  die 
in  peace  with  Him  that  created  you  and  died  for  you ; 
remembering  the  blessed  doctrine  of  Christ  Jesus, 
'Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  others  seeing 
your  good  works,  may  glorify  your  Father  which  is 
in  heaven.'  And  again ;  '  Ye  are  as  a  city  set  on  a 
hill,  which  cannot  be  hid.'  As  you  thus  train  up 
your  children  in  the  way  which  they  should  go,  when 
they  are  young,  you  may  have  reason  to  hope  they 
will  not  depart  from  it  when  they  are  old;  for  many 
have  been  convinced  of  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus 
Christ,  through  the  good  conversation  of  his  followers. 
And  how  can  we  expect  to  die  well,  if  we  do  not  live 
well  ?  Or  can  we  expect  the  answer  of  '  well  done,' 
if  we  are  not  in  the  practice  of  doing  well  ? 

"  I  do  desire  and  earnestly  exhort  Friends  to  read 
the  holy  Scriptures,  and  wait  to  feel  the  Power  from 
which  they  sprung,  through  the  holy  writers ;  and 
also  to  teach  them  to  their  children.  And,  dear 
Friends,  let  me  prevail  with  you  in  the  love  of  God, 


154  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  his  dear  Son,  to  keep  close  to  your  meetings  for 
the  worship  of  Almighty  God,  and  for  the  well  order- 
ing of  your  Society ;  and  do  it  in  the  meek  spirit,  for 
that  is  of  great  price  with  the  Lord;  and  when  in 
yoar  meetings,  get  into  a  religious  exercise  and  lively 
concern  for  God's  glory,  and  your  soul's  peace  and 
prosperity.  I  pray  the  holy  Lord  of  sabbath,  to  open 
your  hearts  to  him  in  the  reading  of  this  epistle,  as 
mine  is  open  to  you,  my  beloved  friends,  that  you  and 
I  may  be  edified,  though  outwardly  separated,  as  we 
were  when  together ;-  and  if  we  should  never  meet 
more  in  this  world,  that  we  may  meet  in  the  kingdom 
of  God,  where  we  may  never  part  more.  Amen. 
Hallelujah,  saith  my  soul! 

"  I  desire  this  may  be  copied  and  read  at  the  close 
of  one  of  each  of  your  particular  meetings,  and  if  it 
could  be  readily,  in  every  family  of  Friends;  to  all  of 
whom  is  my  very  dear  love  in  Jesus  Christ'  whose 
servant  I  am,  and  hope  to  be  to  the  end,  and  I  am  an 
entire  lover  of  souls,  and  a  well-wisher  of  Sion's  pros- 
perity. Thomas  Chalkley." 

On  the  11th  of  the  Fourth  month,  I  left  home  on  a 
journey  to  Long  Island,  in  order  to  visit  Friends'  meet- 
ings, and  also  to  negotiate  some  business  I  had  there. 
The  first  meeting  I  had  was  at  Burlington,  where  I 
had  occasion  to  advise  them  to  keep  in  remembrance 
that  ancient  love  which  first  united  our  Society  to- 
gether, and  in  which,  in  times  of  cruel  persecution, 
some  freely  offered  to  suffer  the  imprisonment  of  their 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  ■     155 

bodies,  to  obtain  the  liberty  of  their  friends  in  con- 
finement. From  thence  we  travelled  to  Amboy,  and 
over  to  Staten  Island.  The  day  being  very  hot,  and 
the  evening  cold,  I  got  a  severe  cold,  which  I  did  not 
get  clear  of  for  about  two  weeks,  notwithstanding 
which  I  went  to  meetings,  though  ill  in  body.  The 
first  meeting  I  had  on  Long  Island,  was  at  Flushing, 
on  a  First  day,  and  a  comfortable  meeting  it  was ;  in 
which  was  closely  pressed  the  taking  up  the  cross  of 
Christ  by  all  who  desire  to  be  his  disciples,  and  that 
without  it  we  could  not  be  true  Christians.  From 
Flushing  we  went  to  Mosquetto  cove,  and  had  a  meet- 
ing there  on  Third  day,  which  was  large,  and  to 
general  satisfaction,  and  some  were  there  who  were 
newly  convinced.  I  seeing  the  openness  of  the  meet- 
ing, advised  Friends  to  build  a  meeting-house  there, 
of  which  they  approved.  On  Fourth  day  we  had  a 
meeting  at  "Westbury,  and  Fifth  day,  at  Cow-neck. 
From  Cow-neck  I  went  to  the  south  side  of  the  island, 
and  had  a  meeting  at  Captain  Hicks'.  The  neighbors 
who  were  not  of  our  Society  came  generally  to  this 
meeting,  and  were  pressingly  exhorted  to  come  to 
Christ  and  the  way  opened  unto  them.  It  was  a 
good  time,  and  I  thought  a  day  of  love  to  us  all.  Be- 
fore the  meeting  I  was  exceedingly  shut  up  in  myself, 
so  that  it  was  very  beneficial  to,  me,  among  the  rest, 
to  see  how  the  Lord  could  work  by  his  power,  and 
unlock  his  treasury,  as  in  a  moment,  as  he  did  for  my 
poor  soul  at  times.  Oh  !  may  I,  with  Christ's  follow- 
ers and  ministers,  ever    depend    upon    him,  is    my 


156     *  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

petition  !  From  Rockaway,  for  so  is  the  place  called, 
we  went  to  Westbury,  and  had  a  very  large  meeting 
on  a  First  day ;  and,  as  I  was  informed,  some  were 
convinced.  From  hence  I  went  to  a  place  called  Fos- 
ter's Meadows,  where  we  had  a  large  meeting  in  a 
barn.  After  this  I  went  over  to  the  main  land,  and 
had  a  meeting  at  a  place  called  Westchester.  From 
thence  we  went  to  Flushing,  and  had  a  large  meeting 
on  a  Fifth  day  of  the  week,  in  which  the  right  training 
up  of  children,  and  careful  education  of  youth,  were 
zealously  recommended.  From  Flushing  I  went  to 
Huntington,  where  some  were  lately  convinced  of  the 
principle  of  truth  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  some  of 
whom  were  excommunicated  by  the  Presbyterians,  with 
whom  they  had  formerly  joined.  We  had  a  pretty 
large  meeting  in  a  Friend's  barn,  where  a  priest  op- 
posed me,  as  he  also  had  my  friend  Benjamin  Kid, 
some  time  before,  of  which  I  gave  ah  account  by  letter, 
to  my  dear  friends  Thomas  Lightfoot  and  Benjamin 
Kid,  desiring  them,  in  their  return  from  New  England, 
to  have  an  evening  meeting  there.  The  ground  of 
this  priest's  cavilling,  or  dispute,  was  my  declaring, 
that  it  is  the  light  of  Christ,  or  his  spirit,  which  con- 
vinceth  the  world  of  sin,  and  not  a  natural  light,  or 
the  light  of  a  natural  conscience ;  from  whence  he 
took  occasion  to  charge  me  with  denying  a  natural 
conscience,  the  falsehood  of  which  I  charged  upon  him 
before  the  auditory,  and  desired  him,  if  he  had  any- 
thing on  his  mind,  to  write  to  me,  to  which  I  promised 
to  return  him  an  answer. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  157 

From  Huntington  I  went  to  the  General  Meeting 
of  Friends  held  at  Newtown,  which  was  so  large  that 
the  meeting-house  could  not  contain  the  people,  and 
the  weather  being  extremely  hot,  some  of  the  people 
without  doors  were  uneasy,  and  went  to  and  fro ;  but 
those  that  were  in  the  house,  and  so  near  that  they 
could  hear,  were  very  attentive,  and  as  far  as  I  could 
learn,  generally  satisfied.  Our  next  meeting  was  at 
New  York,  which  was  the  quietest  meeting  I  ever 
had  there ;  and  the  few  Friends  at  New  York,  and 
some  that  were  there  from  Long  Island,  parted  with 
us  in  the  love  of  Christ,  and  in  the  fellowship  of  his 
blessed  gospel.  I  travelled  homewards,  having  good 
satisfaction  in  visiting  my  friends ;  and  when  I  came 
there,  found  my  dear  wife  and  children  in  health,  for 
which  I  bless  God. 

After  this  journey  I  kept  to  meetings  at  and  about 
home  as  usual,  and  was  at  the  Fifth  day  meeting  in 
Philadelphia,  when  Samuel  Preston  was  married  to 
Margaret  Langdale,  the  widow  of  my  dear  friend  and 
fellow-traveller,  Josiah  Langdale.  The  meeting  was 
large,  and  the  parable  of  the  virgins  and  the  bride- 
groom coming  at  midnight,  was  opened,  with  an 
exhortation  to  the  people  to  be  ready  against  that 
hour,  and  that  they  should  take  care  to  have  the  holy 
oil  of  divine  grace  in  their  hearts. 

After  this  meeting  I  had  some  affairs  which  called 

me  into  Chester  county,  and  on  the  road  my  horse 

gave  a  sudden  and  violent  start  out  of  the  path,  and 

threw  me  down,  and  before  I  could  get  up  again,  he 

14 


158  THE   JOUKNAL    OF 

struck  my  face,  and  trod  on  my  right  eye  with  his 
foot,  being  newly  shod,  which  stunned  me  for  the 
present.  As  soon  as  I  opened  the  eye  which  was 
unhurt,  I  perceived  that  I  lay  on  my  back,  under  my 
horse's  belly,  with  my  head  between  his  forefeet.  He 
stood  still,  and  I  got  on  my  hands  and  knees,  the  blood 
streaming  out  of  my  nose  and  right  eye,  and  while  I 
was  bleeding,  a  man  and  woman  came  by,  and  stayed 
till  I  was  done  bleeding,  and  saw  me  mounted  on  my 
horse  again.  I  went  forward  about  two  miles,  to  the 
house  I  intended  to  go  to,  and  after  riding  about  a 
mile,  I  met  with  a  Friend  who  knew  me,  and  was 
surprised  to  see  me  so  bloody,  and  went  with  me  to 
Eandal  Malin's,  a  faithful,  honest  Friend,  who  was 
upwards  of  eighty  years  of  age,  and  had  suffered  much 
for  his  profession  of  the  truth  in  his  younger  years, 
where  they  dressed  my  wounded  eye.  I  was  truly 
thankful  to  the  Lord  for  his  providence  towards  me 
in  this  deliverance,  among  many  others,  which  he  in 
his  goodness  hath  vouchsafed  to  me.  I  stayed  at  the 
Friend's  house  three  nights  and  mended  apace,  and 
he  accompanied  me  to  my  house  at  Frankford,  where 
my  loving  wife,  with  some  surprise,  received  me  very 
affectionately ;  and  through  her  care,  I  recovered  so 
that  I  could  see  pretty  well  with  spectacles,  which  I 
was  obliged  to  use  for  some  months.  Such  accidents 
plainly  show  us  the  necessity  of  preparing  for  sudden 
death,  as  we  know  not  when,  or  how,  we  may  go  off 
the  stage  of  this  life. 

On  the  25th  of  the  Fifth  month,  I  received  a  letter 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  159 

from  a  person  in  the  county  of  Burlington,  relating  to 
water  baptism,  to  which  I  made  answer  as  follows  : 

"Thy  lines  I  received  last  night,  in  perusing  of 
which,  there  was  a  Christian  love  in  my  heart  towards 
thee,  though  unknown  by  face,  and  I  have  much  free- 
dom of  mind  to  answer  thine,  according  to  thy  request, 
and  my  small  ability. 

"  First,  then,  we  are  near  in  sentiment  to  each  other, 
in  the  grand  Christian  principle  of  saving  religion, 
which  is  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  of  Christ  upon 
the  soul,  for  that  is  the  baptism  which  is  Christ's  and 
is  truly  saving,  and  absolutely  necessary  to  salvation. 
Christ's  baptism  is  but  one,  which  is  with  the  Holy 
Ghost,  and  with  spiritual  fire  or  water ;  John's  being, 
the  element,  or  figure ;  and  Christ's  being  the  spirit, 
power,  and  divine  substance,  is  to  be  with  the  church 
of  Christ,  and  with  his  true  ministers,  to  the  end  of 
the  world. 

"  Secondly,  in  answer  to  thy  query,  Was  not  water 
baptism,  that  is,  the  element,  commanded  by  Christ 
himself,  in  Matt,  xxviii.  19  ?  I  answer,  I  believe  not. 
My  reason  is  this,  because  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  Spirit, 
is  mentioned  in  the  text,  in  express  words,  and  water 
is  not;  and  therefore  we  omit  going  into  outward 
water,  and  for  other  reasons  as  follow  : 

11  Thirdly,  that  water  baptism,  which  was  John's, 
was  practised  by  the  apostles,  is  true ;  but  it  was  not 
practised  by  Christ,  who,  no  doubt,  would  have  done 
it,  if  it  had  been  absolutely  necessary ;  for  he  disdained 


160  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

not  to  wash  his  disciples'  feet,  a  much  more  despicable 
office  than  that  of  the  baptismal  ceremony  :  so  because 
Christ  did  not  himself  practise  it,  nor,  as  we  conceive, 
commanded  us  to  go  into  material  water,  we  there- 
fore forbear  it. 

"  Fourthly,  that  the  apostles  did  baptize  with  water, 
we  deny  not;  and  that  they  were  circumcised,  and  did 
circumcise,  is  also  undeniable.  Now,  must  we  circum- 
cise because  the  apostles  did,  and  were  themselves 
circumcised?  Consider  this  carefully,  and  I  hope 
that  will  give  thee  some  sight  or  light,  concerning 
the  dispensation  of  water  baptism,  which  was  John's 
baptism,  and  was  glorious  in  its  day  and  dispensation, 
in  pointing  at  Christ's  baptism,  until  it  came,  which 
.was  the  substance,  and  was  with  spiritual  fire  and  spir- 
itual water,  and  will  continue  forever.  To  Christ  and 
his  baptism,  I  heartily  direct  thee  for  further  instruc- 
tion, in  whom  is  life,  and  that  life  is  the  light  of  men. 

"  I  would  write  a  little  further  concerning  water 
baptism,  on  some  texts  of  Scripture,  being  Christ's 
own  words,  viz. :  '  He  that  believeth,  and  is  baptized, 
shall  be  saved,  and  he.  that  .believeth  not,  shall  be 
damned,  or  condemned.'  This  must  needs  be  under- 
stood of  the  Spirit's  baptism ;  for  it  would  be  absurd 
to  say,  or  believe,  that  all  who  are  baptized  with 
water,  are  saved,  or  that  all  who  are  not  baptized 
with  water,  are  damned ;  therefore  it  is  the  Spirit's 
baptism  that  all  professing  Christianity  ought  to  come 
unto,  in  order  to  witness  salvation.  Again,  Christ 
says,  '  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water,  and  of  the 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  161 

Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God.' 
Some  will  have  this  to  be  a  mixture  of  the  element 
water  and  of  the  Spirit ;  but  Christ  says,  '  It  is  the 
Spirit  that  quicken eth,  the  flesh  profiteth  nothing. 
The  words  that  1  speak  unto  you,  they  are  spirit,  and 
they  are  life.'  '  That  which'  is  born  of  the  flesh,  is 
flesh,  and  that  which  is  born  of  the  Spirit,  is  spirit.' 
According  to  which  doctrine,  I  have  faith  to  believe, 
that  outward,  fleshly,  or  elementary  water  baptism 
profits  little  or  nothing  to  the  soul.  Again,  why 
should  water  in  that  place  be  understood  of  the  ele- 
ment, any  more  than  fire  in  the  other,  viz. :  To  be 
baptized  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with  fire,  since 
Christ  said,  'My  words  they  are  spirit  and  life.' 
Eemember  the  well  of  water  that  springs  up  to  eter- 
nal life  in  the  believers,  and  the  water  that  Christ 
gave,  whosoever  drank  of  which,  was  never  to  thirst 
more.  This  is  all  spiritual,  which  the  carnal  mind 
cannot  comprehend  or  enjoy,  but  is  witnessed  by  the 
spiritual  man.  And  further,  if  we  consider  what 
confusion  there  is  in  the  world  about  water-  baptism, 
it  may  well  put  a  tender  seeking  soul  upon  further 
search  into  the  nature  of  holy,  saving  baptism.  The 
Papists  have  one  way ;  the  Lutherans  and  Calvinists 
another ;  and  the  Baptists  have  another ;  and  all  differ 
so  widely,  that,  generally  speaking,  they  will  not 
worship  together ;  neither  are  they  ever  likely  to  be 
reconciled,  except  they  come  to  the  holy  Spirit  and 
divine  power  of  Jesus,  the  good  Saviour  and  precious 

guide  of  souls.     That  saying  of  his  has  often  been  a 
14* 


162  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

comfort  to  me  in  deep  exercises  and  distresses  of 
mind,  when  he  said  to  his  disciples,  '  It  is  expedient 
for  you  that  I  go  away ;  for  if  I  go  not  away,  the 
Comforter  will  not  come ;  but  if  I  depart,  I  will  send 
him  unto  you.'  I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  will 
give  you  another  Comforter,  that  he  may  abide  with 
you  forever,  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth.  And  when 
he  is  come,  he  shall  guide  you  into  all  truth ;  he  shall 
take  of  mine,  and  show  it  unto  you,  and  shall  bring 
all  things  to  your  remembrance,  that  I  have  spoken 
unto  you.  He  was  to  convince  the  world  of  sin,  and 
to  abide  with  Christ's  disciples  forever.  May  the 
precious  gift  of  the  Spirit  be  given  to  thee,  and  to 
all  true  seekers  of  God,  his  Christ  and  kingdom,  is 
my  real  desire  and  humble  prayer  to  the  Most  High. 
[See  the  four  Evangelists  for  this  promise,  they  not 
wording  it  alike.] 

"  Having  answered  most  parts  of  thy  letter,  I  would 
add  a  few  lines  more,  viz.  :  I  have  known  some  who 
could  not  be  satisfied  with  words  about  this  point  of 
baptism  with  water,  until  Christ  had  by  his  spirit 
given  them  satisfaction  in  themselves ;  and  as  thou 
comest  more  and  more  into  close  communion  with  his 
grace  and  spirit  in  thy  own  soul,  I  hope  thou  also  wilt 
have  better  satisfaction  than  that  of  words  only.  I 
have  known  some  of  the  people  called  Baptists,  who 
have  been  convinced  of  the  truth,  according  to  our 
way  and  principle,  to  whom  all  the  writing  and  dis- 
puting, and  reading,  and  preaching  about  this  point, 
could  never  give  full  satisfaction,  until  they  had  it 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  163 

inwardly  and  immediately  from  Christ,  manifested  to 
them  by  his  holy  spirit  in  their  hearts,  as  aforesaid. 
I  would  not,  however,  be  understood  to  be  against 
satisfying  one  another  as  much  as  lieth  in  our  power, 
and  as  we  find  openness  in  the  love  of  God  and  Christ. 
And  further,  I  never  understood  that  our  Society 
were  absolutely  against  those  persons  practising  it, 
who  could  see  no  further,  or  did  really  think  in  their 
conscience  that  it  was  their  duty  so  to  do ;  but  we 
believe,  that  we  see  beyond  the  figure  or  shadow,  and 
are  come  to  the  substance,  for  the  reasons  mentioned, 
and  many  more  which  might  be  given.  Several 
treatises  have  been  published  upon  this  subject,  one 
of  which  is  very  full,  written  before  we  were  a  people, 
by  William  Dell,  a  wise  and  learned  man,  and  one 
who  had  a  large  sense  of  the  power  of  God:  and 
among  us,  Barclay's  Apology,  and  a  treatise  by  John 
Gratton,  who  had  been  a  Baptist  preacher,  and  one  by 
Joseph  Pike.  There  is  also  a  little  book  of  Thomas 
Upsher's,  who  was  a  Baptist  preacher  before  he  came  to 
join  with  us,  which  I  send  thee,  with  whom  I  was  well 
acquainted,  as  also  with  those  men  who  subscribed  it. 
If  thou  applies  thyself  to  Richard  Smith,  of  Burling- 
ton, he  is  as  likely  as  any  person  I  know,  to  help  thee 
to  those  books,  all  which  are  larger  on  the  subject, 
and  have  given  satisfaction  to  thousands  about  it ; 
though  some,  as  I  have  said,  could  never  be  satisfied 
with  words.  In  reading  the  latter  part  of  thy  letter 
I  was  tenderly  affected,  and  my  prayers  to  the  Al- 
mighty were,  that  he  would  please  to  direct  thee  by 


164  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

his  power  and  spirit,  and  the  grace  of  his  dear  Son, 
who  hath  said,  '  He  that  cometh  unto  me,  I  will  in  no 
wise  cast  off.'  Now,  tender  friend,  Christ  is  the  true 
light,  that  lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
world,  by  which  light  thou  must  walk  to  the  kingdom 
and  city  of  God.  He  is  the  door  into  the  true  sheep- 
fold  :  he  is  the  truth,  in  whom  thou  must  believe :  he 
is  the  divine  life  and  light  of  the  soul :  he  is  the  true 
Christian's  all  in  all.  And  as  the  kingdom  is  within, 
as  said  Christ,  so  the  king  is  within,  and  without  also. 
He  is  God,  omnipotent,  omniscient,  omnipresent,  the 
immortal  Jehovah,  and  is  God  over  all,  blessed  for- 
ever. And,  as  a  servant  of  his,  I  recommend  thee, 
with  my  own  soul,  unto  him  for  preservation  and 
direction;  for  it  is  the  great  work  of  Christ's  true 
ministers  and  servants,  to  direct  the  seeking,  trav- 
elling souls  to  him  ;  to  whom  with  the  Father,  and  the 
eternal  Spirit,  be  glory,  now  and  evermore.  Amen. 
"  From  thy  assured  friend  in  Christ, 

"Thomas  Chalkley." 

The  person  to  whom  I  wrote  this  letter,  some  time 
after  informed  me,  that  it  gave  him  great  satisfaction. 

After  I  had  stayed  at  home  some  time,  and  pretty 
well  recovered  of  the  hurt  I  received  by  my  fall,  I 
visited  some  meetings  about  home,  as  Philadelphia, 
Abington,  and  Germantown.  In  several  of  those 
meetings  I  was  concerned  to  exhort  Friends,  as  our 
meetings  and  worship  in  this  province  of  Pennsyl- 
vania were  a  kind  of  national  worship,  to  beware 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  165 

that  they  did  not  indulge  themselves  in  the  sins  of 
the  nations,  but  to  be  careful  to  keep  to  the  holy, 
self-denying  life  of  Jesus. 

On  the  5th  of  the  Sixth  month,  between  the  hours 
of  nine  and  ten  at  night,  there  was  an  earthquake, 
of  which  many  people  were  sensible;  and  about  this 
time  many  were  taken  off  with  a  violent  fever.  I 
was  concerned  in  several  meetings  to  put  the  people 
in  mind  of  their  mortality,  and  the  shortness  and 
uncertainty  of  time ;  and  of  the  necessity  of  speedy 
preparation  for  their  final  change  and  future  well- 
being.  In  the  aforesaid  month  I  was  at  our  Youths' 
Meeting  in  Philadelphia,  where  I  was  concerned  to 
advise  parents  to  do  justly  to  their  children,  in  the 
divers  relations  of  a  child's  state ;  to  be  just  in  cor- 
rection, and  to  be  sure  to  give  them  learning,  and 
train  them  up  in  reading  the  holy  Scriptures,  they 
being  able,  through  faith  in  Christ,  to  make  us  wise 
unto  salvation.  I  also  was  earnest  in  exhortation  to 
the  youth,  to  obey  and  honor  their  parents,  and  to 
have  a  care  not  to  be  disobedient  to  their  fathers  and 
mothers.  I  had  a  concern  also  to  remind  that  large 
congregation,  that  the  Almighty  had  stretched  out 
his  arm,  with  his  rod,  and  had  given  the  people  of 
this  land  three  strokes  therewith,  as  a  gentle  admoni- 
tion towards  heart  preparation  to  meet  him,  and  to 
be  ready  for  their  latter  end :  which  were,  First,  a 
sickness,  or  pestilential  fever,  which  carried  off  many 
of  the  people.  Secondly,  an  earthquake,  of  which 
divers  in  town  and  country  were  sensible.     Thirdly, 


166  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

a  terrible  whirlwind,  such  as  we  never  before  heard 
of  in  this  land,  that  I  remember.  They  were  ad- 
monished to  take  particular  and  special  notice  of 
these  gentle  strokes  of  the  divine  hand;  for  if  he 
pleased,  he  could  as  soon  take  away  many  by  sick- 
ness, as  a  few,  and  could  make  us  a  desolation,  as 
well  as  the  country  about  Mount  JEtna,  or  Port 
Soyal,  in  Jamaica,  not  very  far  from  us;  and  he 
could  also  blow  us  away  with  the  whirlwind  of  his 
wrath,  and  could  as  easily  have  blown  down  all  our 
city  as  those  few  houses  in  the  country. 

Next  day  after  this  meeting  I  went  with  John 
Eodman  to  the  Quarterly  General  Meeting  of  wor- 
ship in  the  county  of  Chester,  which  was  large  and 
satisfactory. 

The  25th  of  the  Sixth  month  I  was  at  the  burial 
of  the  wife  of  Richard  "Wain,  a  virtuous  and  good 
woman.  Some  of  her  last  words  were,  "  Some  men's 
sins  go  beforehand  to  judgment,  and  some  follow  after 
them ;  and  that  her  sins  were  gone  before,  which  was 
a  great  comfort  to  her,  now  she  was  going  to  leave 
the  world."  It  was  a  large  meeting,  and  a  seasonable 
opportunity  at  the  funeral.  The  people  were  called 
upon  to  work  while  it  is  called  to-day,  because,  as  our 
Saviour  said,  the  night  cometh,  wherein  no  man  can 
work. 

In  this  and  the  foregoing  year  I  met  with  various 
trials  and  exercises,  as,  First,  great  inward  poverty 
and  want.  Secondly,  great  losses  in  outward  affairs. 
And,  thirdly,  the  evil  spirits  of  some  were  stirred 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  167 

up  against  me,  to  report  falsehoods  concerning  me, 
with  many   other  sore  exercises,   both   inward  and 
outward.     As  to  the  first,   I  had  often  been  tried 
that  way,  and  found  by  experience,  that  I  must  wait 
upon  God  my  Saviour  for  fresh  and  renewed  visita- 
tions from  above;  in  which  exercise  I  had  always, 
in  the  Lord's  time,  received  comfort  from  him,  and 
by  the  same  exercise  I  had  now  the  same  comfort 
also ;  but  I  thought  it  very  long,  and  the  enemy  did 
now  greatly  endeavor  to  break  in  upon  my  patience 
more  than  usual :  but  my  heart  still  depended  in  faith 
and  hope  upon  the  Lord,  my  Redeemer  and  Saviour, 
and  in  his  time  he  was  pleased  to  help  me,  blessed  be 
his  holy  arm  and  power  forever !    Many  blessed  saints 
and  servants  of  Jesus  were  brought  to  my  mind,  who 
were  in  the  like  condition,  so  that  I  had  a  secret  joy 
in   their  company,  who  met  with  the  like  in  their 
travels  to  the  holy  city. 

Secondly,  as  to  my  outward  losses,  I  thought  with 
myself,  peradventure  it  might  be  best  for  me :  and  I 
remembered  that  many,  through  the  increase  of  out- 
ward riches,  were  exceedingly  hurt  as  to  their  inward 
state ;  and  though  I,  or  any  good  man,  might  be  con- 
cerned for  our  children,  to  get  and  leave  something 
for  them,  yet  I  plainly  saw,  that,  generally  speaking, 
much  riches  does  much  hurt  to  youth.  This  was  a 
melancholy  observation  that  I  had  made  in  my  life  and 
travels,  and  I  see  at  this  day,  that  it  is  an  universal 
distemper,  a  very  few  excepted;  wherefore  I  cried 
mightily  to  God  that  he  would  give  to  me  and  mine 


168  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

the  gift  of  his  grace  and  holy  Spirit,  whatever  our 
circumstances  might  be  in  the  world.  In  this  also  I 
saw  that  patience  was  an  excellent  virtue,  and  that 
the  meek  had  the  best  inheritance  of  the  earth,  if 
they  had  ever  so  little  of  it ;  and  that  true  happiness 
did  not  consist  in  earthly  things,  which  my  experience 
had  largely  taught  me. 

And  thirdly,  as  to  the  base  and  evil  treatment  I 
met  with,  which  was  more  than  I  had  ever  met  with 
in  all  my  life  before,  great  endeavors  were  used  to 
lessen  my  reputation,  as  a  man  and  a  Christian ;  all 
which  proved  false  and  fruitless,  and  in  due  time  my 
innocence  was  made  manifest.  I  considered  that 
they  could  not  use  me  worse  than  they  had  done  my 
Lord  and  Master,  and  that  the  devil  was  angry  with 
any  who  endeavored  to  dethrone  him  and  pull  down 
his  kingdom,  at  the  foundation  of  which,  through  the 
help  of  my  master,  I  had  made  many  a  stroke,  with 
such  weapons  as  he  was  pleased  to  furnish  me  withal. 

The  last  of  the  Sixth  month,  and  the  1st  of  the 
Seventh  month,  was  the  Quarterly  and  Youths'  Meet- 
ing at  Burlington,  at  both  of  which  I  was  present. 
At  the  Quarterly  Meeting  I  was  concerned  to  open 
how  the  church  of  God  was  governed  by  his  spirit, 
in  the  time  of  the  law,  and  Moses  was  an  instrument 
therein ;  and  that  when  it  was  too  hard,  and  too 
much  work  for  Moses,  he  was  advised  to  get  the 
assistance  of  the  elders ;  and  that  the  same  power 
and  spirit  of  God  which  was  with  Moses,  was  upon  the 
elders  who  assisted  him  in  the  affairs  of  the  church 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  169 

and  congregation  of  the  Lord's  people ;  so  that  it  was 
governed  by  God's  spirit,  and  is  to  be  governed  by  the 
same  still,  and  not  by  the  will  of  man,  nor  according 
to  the  will  of  man,  in  his  corrupt  nature.  And  when 
Israel  went  from  God's  power  and  spirit,  the  Lord  left 
them,  but  at  last  sent  to  them  his  only-begotten  Son, 
our  dear  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ ;  and  he  was, 
and  ever  is,  to  be  governor  of  his  church,  through 
his  holy  Spirit,  of  which  he  told  his  disciples,  that  he 
would  pray  the  Father,  and  he  should  send  unto  them 
the  Comforter,  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  holy  Spirit,  the 
spirit  of  truth,  and  that  he  should  abide  with  them 
forever,  and  should  lead  and  guide  them  into  all 
truth;  which  sweet  and  precious  promises  the  true 
believers  do  witness  to  be  fulfilled  at  this  day.  Glory 
to  his  name  forever,  he  is  the  wonderful  Counsellor, 
mighty  Saviour,  and  Prince  of  peace  !  of  whose  peace 
and  government  there  shall  never  be  an  end,  and 
upon  whose  shoulder  the  government  is  to  be  forever. 
Friends  were  exhorted  to  pray  and  wait  for  His  holy 
power  and  spirit,  and  to  be  sensible  of  it  in  the  dis- 
cipline and  government  of  the  church  now  in  this 
gospel  day,  in  which  is  a  brighter  manifestation  of 
God's  love,  through  his  Son,  than  in  the  time  of  the 
law.  The  Youths'  Meeting  was  also  large,  and  divers 
testimonies  were  borne,  by  way  of  exhortation  and 
counsel  to  the  youth.  They  were  with  much  tender- 
ness advised  to  take  counsel  of  their  elders,  and  were 
shown  how  it  fared  with  some  young  men,  who  slighted 
the  advice  and  counsel  of  the  elders ;  and  that  one, 
15 


170  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

when  on  a  dying-bed,  cried  out  in  the  bitterness  and 
agonies  of  his  spirit,  "  Oh !  that  I  had  taken  the 
counsel  and  advice  of  my  friends,  for  then  I  had  not 
been  here,  nor  in  this  condition."  They  were  advised 
to  beware  of  keeping  bad  company,  and  spending 
their  precious  time  in  taverns,  which  hath  undone 
many  fair  and  promising  youths :  and  it  was  shown 
how  a  young  man  might  cleanse  his  ways,  by  taking 
heed  thereto,  according  to  the  Word  of  God,  which 
liveth  and  abideth  forever,  and  which  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures proceeded  from ;  and  they  were  earnestly  ex- 
horted to  read  and  practise  what  was  written  therein. 
A  very  tender  time  we  had  in  prayer  to  God,  through 
his  dear  Son,  to  preserve  us  all  in  his  fear,  both  youth 
and  aged;  and  so  our  meeting  broke  up,  and  we  parted 
in  the  sweet  love  of  God,  and  his  Christ,  our  holy 
*     Saviour. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  171 


CHAPTER    VI. 

1724-1725. 

Correspondence  —  Losses  and  Troubles  —  Letter  to  Elizabeth  Levis 
and  Jane  Fenn  —  Letter  respecting  the  Ministry  —  Family  Visit 

—  Services  near  Home  —  Visit  to  New  Jersey  and  Chester  County 

—  Visit  in  Burlington  Quarter — Separation  in  Barbadoes  — 
Letter  to  the  Leader  —  Danger  of  Riches  —  Rewards  and  Pun- 
ishments —  Letter  to  a  Young  Man  under  Conviction  —  Criterion 
for  Judging  of  following  the  Holy  Spirit  —  Serious  Accident. 

My  troubles  in  the  world,  and  in  the  things  of  it, 
being  many,  and  my  outward  losses  great;  as  also 
was  my  inward  poverty  of  spirit,  I  took  my  pen  and 
wrote  one  day  as  follows  :  "  Oh !  if  it  be  right  in  the 
sight  of  God,  how  do  I  long  to  be  unclothed  of  this 
frail,  mortal  body,  that  my  soul  might  mount  up  to 
the  ethereal  plains,  and  repose  itself  in  the  arms  of 
its  Maker  and  most  sweet  Saviour  forever." 

Being  at  and  near  home  some  time  after  I  came 
from  Burlington,  I  visited  the  meetings  of  German- 
town  and  Philadelphia,  which  were  large,  and  some 
sense  of  truth  was  in  the  hearts  of  divers.  I  was 
concerned  at  that  meeting  at  Philadelphia,  to  let  the 
people  know,  that,  as  God  had  blessed  the  people  of 
that  city,  and  the  province,  with  spiritual  and  tem- 
poral blessings,  and  made  the  land  fruitful,  enriching 


172  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

many  of  the  inhabitants,  he  now  expected  from  them 
fruits  of  piety  and  virtue  ;  and  that  if  there  was  not 
a  stricter  walking  with  God  in  Christ  Jesus,  they 
might  expect  his  divine  hand,  which  had  visited  them 
with  favors  from  heaven  above,  and  from  the  earth 
beneath,  would  visit  them  with  a  rod,  with  which  he 
had  already  given  them  some  gentle  strokes. 

Our  Yearly  Meeting  was  this  year  at  Burlington, 
for  the  provinces  of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania, 
to  attend  the  service  of  which,  our  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing appointed  me,  with  divers  others.  It  was  a  large 
and  comfortable  meeting,  and  many  went  home  thank- 
ful to  the  holy  name  of  God  and  Christ,  that  they 
were  there. 

I  shall  here  transcribe  part  of  a  letter  which  my 
dear  father  wrote  to  me,  when  above  eighty  years  of 
age,  he  having  been  a  minister  of  Christ  above  forty 
years ;  viz. : 

"  Loving  Son,  Thomas  Chalkley,  —  Thine  dated 
the  11th  of  the  Tenth  month,  1723,  I  received,  and 
was  very  glad  to  hear  of  your  welfare,  and  that  the 
Lord  hath  given  you  children :  and  I  pray  the  Al- 
mighty God,  that  he  may  preserve  them  with  you, 
that  they  may  be  a  comfort  to  you  in  your  latter 
days ;  and  that  if  the  Lord  may  be  pleased  to  con- 
tinue them  with  you,  they  may,  as  they  grow  in  days,* 
grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ;  and  that  the  Lord  may  be 
pleased  to  preserve  us  all  to  the  end  of  those  few 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  173 

days  we  may  have  in  this  world,  that  we  may  lay 
down  our  heads  in  peace,  and  in  the  full  assurance 
of  everlasting  blessedness,  forever  and  evermore. 

"  I  bless  the  Lord  that  he  hath  preserved  me  sen- 
sible of  his  blessed  and  holy  Spirit,  whereby  my  un- 
derstanding is  clear  and  well,  considering  my  age ; 
and  the  Lord  in  his  great  loving-kindness,  I  do  feel 
to  help  me  to  my  great  satisfaction,  in  my  little  ser- 
vice for  him. 

"  With  repeated  love  to  you  all,  I  rest  thy  aged, 
and  thereby,  through  pain,  afflicted  father, 

"  George  Chalkley 

"Southwark,  London,  5th  of  Sixth  month,  1724." 

To  see  my  dear  father's  handwriting,  now  he  was 
above  four-score  years  of  age,  was  very  affecting  to 
me;  and  the  more,  because  I  expected  it  might  be 
his  last,  which  it  was.  The  answer  I  sent  to  my 
dear  father's  letter  is  as  followeth : 

"  Frankford,  22d  of  Eighth  month,  1724. 

"My  dear  Father,  —  Thine,  per  James  Wilkins, 
I  received  with  joy,  and  was  greatly  comforted  to 
hear  that  thou  wast  yet  alive ;  and  especially  that 
thou  art  favored,  now  in  thy  old  age,  with  a  sense  of 
the  gift  of  God,  through  the  holy  Spirit  of  his  dear 
Son,  our  blessed  Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ. 

"  The  reading  of  thine  did  refresh  and  tender  my 
heart,  not  expecting  many  more  such  epistles  from 
thee,  by  reason  of  thy  great  age.  But,  my  very  dear 
15* 


174  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

and  truly  honored  father,  if  we  should  never  hear 
from  nor  see  one  another  more  in  mutability,  yet  are 
we,  while  here  on  earth,  as  living  epistles  in  one 
another's  hearts,  written  by  the  finger  of  God.  I 
have  hope  also,  that  we  shall  meet  where  we  shall 
never  part  more,  in  the  glorious  kingdom  of  God  and 
his  Christ. 

"  With  unspeakable  love  from  self  and  wife,  to 
thee,  my  dear  and  aged  father,  and  all  relations  and 
friends, 

"  I  remain  thy  loving  and  dutiful  son, 

"Thomas  Chalzley." 

In  this  year,  1724,  I  met  with  various  trials,  afflic- 
tions, and  tribulations ;  and  had  not  the  secret  hand 
of  the  Lord,  which  I  felt  underneath,  borne  up  my 
spirit  from  sinking,  I  think  I  could  not  have  waded 
through  them. 

I  was  now  removed,  as  already  related,  into  the 
country,  for  retirement,  which  I  greatly  loved  and 
delighted  in ;  but  as  soon  as  I  was  a  little  settled 
there,  the  enemy  of  all  good  endeavored  to  disquiet 
my  repose,  by  stirring  up  some  bad  people  against 
me,  who  lived  near,  and  in  time  past  had  fawned 
upon  me.  To  add  to  my  afflictions,  I  lost  a  vessel, 
in  which,  I  suppose,  I  had  upwards  of  five  hundred 
pounds ;  another  vessel  came  in  almost  a  wreck,  in 
which  I  suffered  in  my  interest  several  hundreds 
more,  and  a  third  I  heard  of,  in  which  I  had  the  like 
loss ;  and  about  the.  same  time  I  had  also  a  good  new 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  175 

barn  burned  to  the  ground  in  a  few  minutes,  so  that 
I  was  exceedingly  stripped  that  way.  To  add  yet 
more  to  my  exercise,  I  was  sorely  afflicted  with  sick- 
ness, having  a  swelling  in  my  jaws,  mouth,  and  throat, 
that  I  could  neither  speak  nor  swallow  for  some  time, 
nor  eat,  nor  sleep,  for  about*seven  days,  as  I  remem- 
ber, without  great  difficulty.  What  the  distemper 
was,  we  could  not  be  certain.  Some  supposed  it  to 
be  the  quinsy,  others  an  imposthume ;  also  my  only 
daughter  at  the  same  time  was  likely  to  die ;  and  as 
for  my  own  part,  I  was  very  willing  to  go,  if  it  so 
pleased  God ;  for  I  saw  through  the  deceit  of  the 
world,  and  that  the  friendship  of  it  was  not  perma- 
nent. And  in  my  sore  afflictions  of  body,  mind,  and 
interest,  it  fared  with  me  as  with  Job,  for  divers  of 
my  pretended  friends  added  to  my  afflictions  by  undue 
reflections ;  whom  I  pray  the  Lord  to  forgive  for  his 
Son's  sake  !  At  these  times,  the  remembrance  of 
that  saying  of  Christ,  that  the  very  hairs  of  your 
head  are  numbered,  supported  me  in  hope  that  all 
would  work  together  for  good. 

"When  I  got  better,  so  that  I  could  go  to  meetings, 
I  went  to  Germantown,  Abington,  Philadelphia,  and 
Darby.  My  first  going  abroad  was  to  Philadelphia, 
where,  on  a  First  day,  we  had  a  large  meeting,  and 
divers  things  were  opened  in  my  mind.  I  told  them 
they  had  Moses  and  the  prophets,  and  Jesus  Christ, 
who  has  arisen  from  the  dead ;  for  neither  death,  hell, 
nor  the  grave  could  detain  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory. 
And  I  was  opened  to  declare  to  them,  that  they  had  a 


176  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

great  advantage  of  the  coming  of  Christ,  not  only  in 
his  appearance  at  Jerusalem,  but  as  he  came  to,  and 
spoke  in  the  heart,  by  his  inward  and  spiritual  appear- 
ance; and  that  this  gospel  dispensation  was,  by  his 
coming,  made  more  conspicuous,  bright,  and  glorious, 
than  that  which  went  before.  Friends  were  very  glad 
to  see  me  abroad  again,  they  having  expected  daily  to 
hear  I  was  dead,  and  there  was  tenderness  over  the 
meeting,  and  God  over  all,  through  his  dear  Son  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  was  praised  and  glorified,  who  is 
v/orthy  for  ever. 

In  this  year  two  sober  young  women,  Elizabeth 
Levis  and  Jane  Fenn,  were  concerned  to  visit  Friends 
in  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  and  they  meeting  with 
some  discouragement,  in  Christian  love,  I  wrote  them 
the  following  letter  to  encourage  them  in  the  work  of 
Christ. 

"  Frankford,  1st  of  Twelfth  month,  1724-25. 

"  My  dear  Friends,  Elizabeth  Levis  and  Jane 
Fenn, —  Understanding  by  our  friend,  Grace  Lloyd, 
that  you  have  proposed  your  intention  of  visiting  the 
few  Friends  in  the  Island  of  Barbadoes,  and  that  you 
meet  with  some  discouragement  inwardly  and  out- 
wardly, it  is  in  my  mind  to  comfort  and  strengthen 
you  in  so  great  and  good  an  undertaking,  and  honor- 
able work,  as  is  the  cause  of  Christ,  who,  for  our  sakes, 
crossed  himself  abundantly  beyond  expression,  more 
than  is  possible  for  us  to  do  for  his  sake,  or  the  sake 
of  his  people,  whom  we  may  so  entirely  love  as  to  lay 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  177 

down  our  lives  for  his  and  their  sakes.  But  what  are 
our  lives  to  the  life  of  the  only -begotten  Son  of  God  ? 
And  truly,  we  must  give  them  up  often,  if  we  have 
the  cause  of  souls  at  heart ;  and  then  he  often  gives 
them  to  us  again,  glory  to  his  holy  name  for  ever ! 
As  Christ  said,  'He  that  will  save  his  life,  shall  lose 
it,  and  he  that  will  lay  down  his  life  for  my  sake  and 
the  gospel,  shall  find  it ; '  which  reacheth  your  case  in 
this  undertaking.  And  indeed,  some  of  our  lives,  in 
our  own  sense,  are  hardly  worth  mentioning,  consid- 
erins;  the  cause  of  Christ. 

"  And,  dear  children  of  our  heavenly  Father,  I  may, 
through  some  good  experience,  truly  inform  you,  that 
there  is  much  openness  in  many  people  on  that  island, 
and  good  encouragement  I  have  had  from  above,  in 
my  visiting  the  people  there ;  though,  true  it  is,  the 
inhabitants  too  generally  are  luxurious,  and  much 
given  to  vanity :  yet  I  have  this  seal  in  my  heart, 
that  the  Lord  hath  a  seed  in  that  place  who  desire  to 
serve  him,  and  that  seed  will  surely  join  with  you  in 
your  exercise,  and  you  will  be  comforted  one  in  an- 
other, and  in  the  Lord.  And  that  there  are  differences 
among  them,  is  also  true ;  but  they  have  the  more 
need  of  being  visited  by  such,  who  are,  through  their 
wise  conduct  and  restoring  disposition,  likely  to  heal 
those  breaches  which  are,  or  may  be  among  them. 
Some,  indeed,  have  gone  among  them,  and  have  done 
hurt,  by  a  rash  and  turbulent  management,  and  by 
so  doing  have  rather  made  the  breaches  wider,  than 


178  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

by  a  meek  and  loving,  as  well  as  lowly  disposition, 
lessened  their  differences  and  healed  them. 

"  And,  tender  friends,  though  it  may  seem  hard  for 
you  in  several  considerations,  to  give  up  to  go  to  sea, 
and  also  to  divers  who  love  you,  and  are  nearly  re- 
lated to  you,  know  ye  and  such  so  concerned,  that  the 
Lord  is  stronger  than  the  noise  of  many  waters,  and 
than  the  mighty  waves  of  the  sea.  And  I  really 
believe  that  you,  as  well  as  my  soul,  with  all  the 
servants  of  Christ,  will  experience  it  to  be  so,  as  David 
did,  whose  words  they  are. 

"I  remember  the  words  of  our  great  Lord  and 
Master,  Jesus  Christ,  when  he  sent  forth  his  servants 
to  preach  his  gospel ;  '  I  send  you  forth  as  lambs 
among  wolves.'  No  question  but  you,  like  innocent 
lambs,  before  your  return,  if  it  please  God  to  give 
you  to  us  again,  may  meet  with  the  wolf's  spirit,  or 
the  spirit  of  the  beast,  in  some  among  whom  you  may 
travel ;  then  will  the  counsel  of  Christ,  added  to  his 
commission,  be  good  for  you  to  keep  close  to :  'Be  ye 
wise  as  serpents,  but  innocent  or  harmless  as  doves.' 

"  And,  dear  maidens,  as  your  cross  is  great*  you 
being  two  innocent  young  women,  in  giving  up  your 
names  to  cross  the  sea,  which  I  know  is  a  great  trial, 
the  seamen  too  generally  being  rude,  dissolute  people ; 
so  your  crown  will  be  great  also.  I  have  known  that 
by  keeping  near  to  Christ,  and  his  truth  and  power, 
there  hath  been  a  wonderful  reformation  sometimes 
in  several  of  those  rude  seamen  ;  and  some  have  been 
so  far  convinced  as  to  be  exceedingly  kind,  and  to 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  179 

Bpeak  well  of  Friends  and  their  conversation,  when 
it  has  been  coupled  with  the  fear  and  wisdom  of  God. 
When  I  have  gone  to  sea,  I  always  found  a  religious 
and  Christian  concern  upon  me,  for  the  poor  sailors, 
the  good  effects  of  which  have  been  much  more  than 
I  may  speak  of;  but  give  this  little  hint  for  your 
encouragement  and  information. 

"  Well,  dear  souls,  if  you  go,  I  believe  the  Lord 
will  go  with  you  ;  and  sure  I  am,  that  my  spirit  will 
also  go  along  with  you,  which  will  not  hurt  you,  if  it 
do  you  no  good.  And  although  my  exercises  and 
tribulations  of  late  have  been  very  great,  both  spirit- 
ual and  natural,  yet  my  very  heart  within  me  affects 
the  cause  of  Christ,  according  to  the  best  of  my  un- 
derstanding :  and  I  heartily  wish  well  to  all  my  fellow- 
laborers,  who  are  faithful,  painful  servants  of  Christ, 
and  disinterested,  except  as  to  the  interest  which 
they  desire  in  Christ  and  his  kingdom,  for  the  sake 
of  which,  they  love  not  their  lives  unto  death. 

"  I  must  now  take  leave,  after  putting  you  in  mind 
to  remember  your  poor  friend  and  brother,  when  be- 
fore the  throne  you  are  supplicating  the  Father  of 
mercies  in  secret,  even  as  my  heart  is  tenderly  bowed 
and  broken  into  tears  on  your  behalf  at  this  time. 
The  Lord  be  with  you,  and  sanctify  the  present  ex- 
ercise and  concern  that  is  v,pon  you,  and  you  to 
himself,  with  all  the  faithful  lovers  and  followers  of 
the  Lamb,  '  through  his  word,  whose  word  is  truth.' 
I  am  your  friend  and  brother,  in  the  fellowship  of  the 
gospel  of   Christ   Jesus,  our   great   Lord  and  good 


180  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Master ;  and  blessed  are  all  those  who,  ©y  their  fearing 
to  offend  him,  manifest  him  to  be  their  Master,  and  by 
their  honoring  him,  manifest  him  to  be  their  Lord. 

"  Thomas  Chalkley." 

In  the  Twelfth  month  I  went  to  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  of  Friends,  held  at  Providence,  in  Chester 
county,  for  discipline  and  worship.  It  was  large,  and 
a  concern  came  upon  Friends  to  suppress  excess  in 
eating  and  drinking,  and  great  entertainments  at 
marriages  and  funerals,  and  spending  time  idly  in 
tippling  houses ;  also  in  several  other  things  for  the 
well  ordering  our  Society,  in  which  there  appeared 
great  love  and  unanimity.  The  people  were  reminded 
of  God's  love  to  them,  and  many  favors  were  recount- 
ed to  them,  which  he  had  showed  the  inhabitants 
of  the  land,  which  were  very  singular,  and  that  he 
expected  they  should  bring  forth  fruits  answerable  to 
the  labors  of  love,  which  the  Lord  had  bestowed  upon 

them. 

About  this  time  I  had  it  in  my  mind  to  write  to 
one  who  was  conscientiously  concerned  to  preach  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  but  was  under  great  exercise  on  that 
occasion. 

"  Frankford,  24th  of  Twelfth  month,  1724-25. 
"My  Friend, —  Since  I  last   saw  thee   and   con- 
versed with  thee,  thou  hast  often  been  in  my  mind, 
and  thy  exercise  has  come  before  me  ;  and  not  having 
an  opportunity  to  converse  with  thee   personally,  I 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  181 

take  this  way  of  communicating  my  mind,  hoping,  in 
Christ,  thou  wilt  reap  some  satisfaction  and  advan- 
tage thereby.  I  think  I  know  thou  art  concerned 
for  Christ's  cause,  as  also  was  thi.t  eminent  minister 
Apollos,  who  yet  was  instructed  more  perfectly  by 
good  Aquila  and  Priscilla.  The  subject  on  which  I 
have  it  in  my  mind  to  write  to  thee,  is  the  ministry 
of  the  gospel  of  Christ  Jesus,  which  I  believe  to  be 
very  different  from  that  which  it  is  taken  for  in  most 
parts  of  the  world,  by  many  professing  Christianity. 
First,  the  greatest  part  of  Christendom,  so  called, 
calls  and  elects  its  ministers,  and  will  not  call  them 
unless  they  have  school  learning,  although  Christ 
called  and  chose  unlearned  men,  as  to  that  sort  of 
learning,  and  the  apostles  were  called, '  Not  according 
to  the  will  of  man,  but  by  the  revelation  of  Christ 
Jesus.'  Christ  thanked  his  Father  that  '  He  had  re- 
vealed the  mysteries  of  his  kingdom  to  babes  and 
sucklings.'  The  wise  Jews,  the  scribes  and  pharisees, 
admired  at  the  apostles,  who  so  powerfully  preached 
Christ,  and  were  so  wonderfully  carried  forth  in  their 
ministry,  and  yet  few  of  them  were  men  of  learning. 
The  call,  election,  and  wages  of  Christ's  ministers,  are 
spiritual,  and  not  carnal ;  and  therefore,  their  ministry 
is  with  divine  life  and  power,  by  which  they  are 
qualified  for  this  service,  without  either  study  or  pre- 
meditation ;  though  it  is  not  denied  that  Christ  may 
show  a  minister  beforehand,  what  he  shall,  or  is  to 
speak,  at  such  a"  time  or  place,  as  he  may  see  meet. 
But  studying,  or  writing   sermons,  and   afterwards 

16 


182  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

preaching,  or  rather  reading  them  to  the  people,  is 
not  the  practice  of  the  true  minister  of  Jesus,  our 
great  Lord  and  Master;  of  which,  I  do  believe  thou 
hast  a  real  sense. 

"  I  shall  impart  to  thee  something  of  my  own  expe- 
rience for  thy  edification  in  this  great  work,  viz. : 
As  in  the  work  of  conversion  or  regeneration  there 
is  a  growth  and  increase  from  the  state  of  a  child  to 
that  of  a  man  in  Christ,  so  in  the  work  of  the  min- 
istry, or  preaching  the  gospel,  there  is  also  a  growth 
from  a  babe  to  an  able  minister,  in  all  which  the 
power  and  grace  of  the  holy  Spirit  must  be  our 
guide,  our  help  and  support.  Keeping  close  to  this, 
we  shall  increase  in  divine  wisdom  and  sound  judg- 
ment, and  our  hearts  and  understandings  will  be 
more  and  more  opened  and  enlarged.  The  apostle 
Paul  said,  '  When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child, 
understood  as  a  child,  and  thought  as  a  child ; '  and 
yet  he  was  a  child  of  God  and  minister  of  Christ; 
and  as  he  grew  in  his  gift,  and  in  Christ's  grace,  he 
became  an  eminently  serviceable  instrument  in  the 
hand  of  God.  Now  a  child's  state  in  the  ministry 
is  too  much  overlooked  by  many,  some  thinking  to 
be  men  as  soon  as  they  are  brought  forth  into  the 
ministry;  and  according  to  my  observation,  divers 
have  been  at  a  loss,  and  some  quite  lost,  for  want  of 
a  patient  continuing  in  well-doing;  and  not  waiting 
to  feel  a  growth  and  increase  from  above,  have  gone 
on  in  their  own  strength  and  will,  perhaps  against 
the  advice  and  instruction  of  a  sound  and  honest 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  183 

Aquila  or  Priscilla,  and  have  been  hurt ;  and  some 
who  had  received  a  gift,  have  had  that  same  gift 
taken  from  them,  even  by  the  Lord,  who  gave  it 
them. 

"A  true  minister  of  Christ  is  to  take  no  thought 
what  to  say,  but  in  the  same  hour  that  which  he 
should  speak  to  the  people,  will  be  given  him,  that 
is,  in  a  general  way,  and  if  it  is  not  given  from 
above,  I  believe  he  or  she  ought  to  be  silent;  for 
they  receive  freely,  if  they  do  receive  anything  from 
Christ,  and  so  they  ought  freely  to  administer ;  and 
where  little  is  given,  little  is  required,  all  which  is 
plain  from  Christ's  own  words  in  the  New  Testament; 
and  Christ's  cross  is  to  be  taken  up  by  his  ministers 
in  their  preaching,  as  well  as  in  their  conversation. 

"  It  is  a  practice  with  which  the  holy  Scriptures 
have  not  acquainted  us,  that  the  ministers  of  Christ 
should  take  a  verse,  or  a  line,  out  of  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  write,  or  study,  beforehand,  a  discourse 
on  it,  and  preach  it,  or  rather  read  it,  to  the  people. 
The  holy  men  of  old,  as  we  read  both  in  the  Old  and 
New  Testament,  spoke  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost,  and  by  it  they  were  gifted  for  convin- 
cing, converting,  and  reforming  the  world,  and  for 
comforting  and  edifying  the  saints,  quite  contrary  to 
the  latter  practice  of  modern  reading  divines,  who 
dispute,  write,  and  preach  against  the  immediate  rev- 
elation of  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and  therefore  cannot 
be  his  ministers,  but  must  be  the  ministers  of  anti- 
christ, and  ministers  of  the  letter,  and  not  of  the 


184  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

spirit  of  Christ,  or  of  his  gospel.  And  where  the 
apostle  says,  '  When  I  was  a  child,  I  spake  as  a  child,' 
I  take  him  to  point  at  being  brought  newly  into  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  as  well  as  the  work  of  conver- 
sion, and  that  he  useth  those  expressions  by  way  of 
comparison,  and  therefore  I  compare  it  thus :  a  child 
when  it  first  begins  to  speak,  speaks  but  a  few  words, 
and  those  stammeringly  sometimes,  and  its  judgment 
is  weak,  and  he  must  be  put  upon  speaking  by  his 
father  over  and  over,  if  he  be  a  backward  child ; 
otherwise,  if  he  be  forward,  and  speaks  too  much, 
he  is  'curbed  by  a  wise  father.  Thus,  according  to 
my  observation,  it  hath  pleased  our  heavenly  Father 
to  instruct  his  children  in  the  ministry,  and  as  a  child 
in  Christ,  I  would  speak  a  little  of  my  experience  to 
the  children  of  God.  When  I  first  felt  a  necessity  on 
me  to  preach  the  gospel,  I  had  but  a  few  sentences  tc 
deliver,  in  great  fear  and  tenderness,  with  some  trem- 
bling, with  which  my  brethren  were  generally  satisfied 
and  edified.  After  some  time  I  felt  a  concern  to 
preach  the  gospel  in  other  countries,  and  to  other 
nations,  than  that  in  which  I  was  born,  which  to  me 
was  a  very  great  cross ;  but  feeling  the  woe  of  the 
Lord  to  follow  me  in  not  giving  up  to  it,  after  some 
time  I  took  that  cross  up  for  Christ's  sake  and  the 
gospel's ;  and  in  taking  it  up  I  experienced  the  truth 
of  the  apostle's  doctrine,  that  'The  gospel  of  Christ 
is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that 
believeth.'  Thus,  through  a  continual  labor  and  spir- 
itual travel,  I  witnessed  a  growth  in  experience  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  185 

an  enlargement  in  expression  and  heavenly  doctrine ; 
and  my  heart  was  mightily  enlarged  to  run  the  waya 
of  God's  commandments,  and  divers  were  convinced, 
and  some,  I  hope,  thoroughly  converted,  and  many 
comforted,  and  God,  through  the  ministry  of  his  dear 
Son,  glorified,  who  only  is  thereof  worthy  forever. 

"  In  all  this  I  have  nothing  to  boast  of  or  glory  in, 
saving  in  the  cross  of  Christ;  for  what  is  Paul,  or 
Apollos,  or  Cephas,  but 'an  instrument?  I  would  not 
be  understood  to  compare  myself  with  those  apostles, 
but  to  endeavor  to  follow  them  as  they  followed  Christ. 
Christ  is  all  in  all :  he  is  the  great  teacher  of  teachers, 
and  the  highest  schoolmaster  of  all :  and  he  says, 
'  Whosoever  doth  not  bear  his  cross  and  come  after 
me,  cannot  be  my  disciple.' 

"  We  do  not  find  anywhere  in  the  New  Testament, 
that  Christ's  ministers  or  messengers  were  only  to 
speak  or  preach  to  one  meeting  of  people,  or  that 
they  were  called  or  hired  by  men ;  for  then  it  would 
have  been  necessary  that  man  should  pay  them ;  but 
Christ  says,  '  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give ; 
and  go  forth,'  etc. 

"  And,  my  friend,  I  find  to  this  day,  that  it  is  safe 
for  me  when  I  am  ministering  to  the  people,  when 
the  Spring  of  divine  life  and  power,  from  which  sound 
truths  and  edifying  matter  spring  and  flow  into  the 
heart,  abates,  or  stops,  to  stop  with  it,  and  sit  down, 
and  not  to  arise,  or  speak  publicly  to  the  people, 
without  some  spiritual  impulse  or  moving,  and  open- 
ings. 

16* 


186  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

"  I  would  have  this  taken  no  otherwise,  but  as  one 
friend  and  brother  opening  his  state  and  condition  to 
another  for  edification,  and  for  strengthening  each 
other  in  Christ.  And  as  I  fear  lest  I  should  exceed 
the  bounds  of  a  letter,  therefore  shall  conclude  thy 
real  friend  in  Jesus  Christ ; 

"Thomas  Chalkley." 

The  25th  of  the  Twelfth  month  I  was  at  the  burial 
of  the  wife  of  Kandal  Speakman.  It  being  our  Fifth- 
day  Meeting,  divers  sober  people  not  of  our  persua- 
sion, were  there,  and  I  was  drawn  to  speak  of  the 
death  of  Christ  and  his  merits,  and  to  show  them 
that  there  is  no  merit  in  the  works  of  man,  as  he  is 
man,  or  in  a  formal  righteousness  or  holiness. 

In  our  Yearly  Meeting  at  Burlington  it  was  agreed 
that  the  families  of  Friends  should  be  visited,  and 
soon  after,  our  Monthly  Meeting  appointed  me,  with 
other  Friends,  to  visit  the  families  of  our  meeting; : 
in  which  visitation  many  were  comforted  and  edified, 
both  of  the  youth  and  aged ;  and  we  could  truly  say, 
that  the  power  and  grace  of  God,  and  the  sweet  love 
of  Christ,  accompanied  us  from  house  to  house,  to  our 
mutual  comfort.  We  were  so  extraordinarily  opened 
and  guided  to  speak  to  the  states  of  the  people  in 
their  families,  who  were  unknown  to  us,  that  some  of 
them  were  ready  to  think  we  spoke  by  information, 
when  in  truth  we  were  clear  of  any  such  thing,  and 
only  spoke  from  what  was  immediately  given  to  us, 
without  any  information  from  man  or  woman ;  which 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  187 

to  us  was  sometimes  very  wonderful,  and  caused  us  to 
praise  the  great  name  of  the  Lord. 

The  General  Meeting  held  at  Philadelphia  in  the 
First  month,  was  a  solid  good  meeting,  and  ended  in 
a  sense  of  grace  and  truth,  which  comes  by  Jesus 
Christ.  Next  day  being  our  Week-day  Meeting,  our 
dear  friends  Elizabeth  Levis  and  Jane  Fenn,  took 
leave  of  us,  they  intending  for  the  island  of  Barba- 
does;  and  it  was  a  parting  meeting  that  will  not  soon 
be  forgotten  by  some  of  us  then  present. 

After  this  meeting  I  went  to  Burlington  to  visit 
one  who  was  sick,  and  under  some  trouble  of  mind 
for  going  astray,  and  greatly  desired  to  come  into 
the  right  way,  with  whom  I  had  a  good  seasonable 
meeting,  to  her  comfort  and  my  own  satisfaction. 
Upon  this  visit  I  would  remark,  that  it  is  a  great 
pity  that  youth,  when  in  health  and  strength,  should 
put  off  the  work  of  their  salvation,  and  forget  the 
Most  High,  till  either  sickness  or  death  overtakes 
them.  And  then,  oh !  the  bitter  piercing  cries  and 
groans,  and  terrible  agonies  the  soul  is  in ;  which,  by 
timely  repentance  and  amendment  of  life,  might  b$ 
avoided. 

I  was  afterwards  at  meetings  at  Philadelphia,  Me- 
rion,  Germantown,  etc.,  and  had  some  service  and 
satisfaction  therein.  On  the  2d  of  the  Second  month, 
the  Friend  whom  I  visited,  as  above,  was  buried,  and 
the  relations  of  the  deceased  sent  for  me  to  the  burial. 
The  person  being  well  beloved,  there  was  a  large  ap- 
pearance of  people  of  divers  persuasions,  and  we  had 


188  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

an  0]  portunity  at  this  funeral  to  exhort  the  people  so 
to  live  that  they  might  die  well ;  and  that  the  way  to 
die  in  the  favor  of  God,  was  to  live  in  his  fear.  Char- 
ity to  those  who  dissent  from  one  another,  was  press- 
ingly  recommended  from  the  apostle's  words,  that,  "  If 
we  had  faith  to  remove  mountains,  and  to  give  all  our 
goods  to  the  poor,  and  our  bodies  to  be  burned,  yet  if 
we  wanted  charity,  we  were  but  like  sounding  brass, 
and  a  tinkling  cymbal."  And  also  our  belief  of  the 
doctrine  of  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  was  asserted, 
in  contradiction  to  that  gross  calumny  cast  on  our 
Society,  of  denying  it. 

The  latter  end  of  the  Second  month,  I  was  at  a 
marriage  at  Horsham,  at  which  was  present  William 
Keith,  our  Governor,  and  I  was  concerned  to  speak 
of  the  end  of  that  great  ordinance,  and  of  the  hap- 
piness of  those  married  persons  who  fulfil  the  cove- 
nants they  make  in  marriage,  and  what  strength  and 
comfort  the  man  is  to  the  woman,  and  the  woman  to 
the  man,  when  they  keep  their  covenants,  and  that 
they  are  the  contrary  when  they  break  them.  I  also 
opened  the  methods  prescribed  by  our  discipline,  to 
be  observed  in  marriages,  and  our  care  to  prevent 
any  clandestine  marriages  amongst  us.  After  this 
meeting  I  returned  home,  without  going  to  the  mar- 
riage-dinner, as  I  generally  avoided  such  entertain- 
ments as  much  as  I  could,  having  no  life  in,  or  liking 
to  them,  being  sensible  that  great  companies  and  pre- 
paration at  weddings  were  growing  inconveniences 
among  us,  which  I  was  conscientiously  concerned  to 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  189 

discourage.  A  few  days  after  my  return  home,  at 
our  meeting  at  Frankford,  I  was  concerned  particu- 
larly to  exhort  Friends  to  keep  to  plainness  in  lan- 
guage, dress,  etc.,  according  to  the  examples  given 
us  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  particularly  that  of  Daniel 
and  his  companions ;  and  to  caution  against  vain  and 
indecent  fashions,  which,  with  concern,  I  have  ob- 
served to  prevail  too  much  among  some  who  make 
profession  with  us. 

In  this  Second  month  I  went  to  the  Yearly  Meeting 
of  Friends  at  Salem,  and  by  the  way  had  two  meetings 
at  Woodbury  creek.  At  Salem  we  had  a  large  meet- 
ing, and  our  gracious  Lord  was  with  us,  bowing  many 
hearts  before  him ;  and  many  testimonies  were  given 
of  the  goodness,  love,  mercy,  and  grace  of  God  and 
his  dear  Son,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  From  Salem 
we  travelled  to  Alloway's  creek  and  Cohansie,  and 
from  thence  to  Elsinburgh,  and  ferried  over  the  river 
Delaware  with  our  horses  to  George's  creek,  and  had 
meetings  at  all  those  places.  At  George's  creek,  one 
not  a  Friend  came  to  me  after  meeting,  and  said  he 
thanked  me  for  my  advice  and  counsel,  and  seemed 
heartily  affected  with  the  doctrine  of  Christ.  From 
George's  creek  we  travelled  to  Nottingham,  and  had 
a  large  meeting  on  a  First  day,  and  another,  very 
large,  on  a  Second  day,  where  were  many  people  of 
divers  persuasions.  The  house  could  not  contain  us, 
so  that  we  met  in  an  orchard.  A  solid  meeting  it 
was,  wherein  the  mighty  power  of  the  Creator  was 
declared,  as  also  the  divinity  of  Christ  and  his  man- 


190  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

hood,  and  the  people  were  exhorted  to  be  careful  of 
forming  any  personal  ideas  of  the  Almighty ;  for  the 
holy  Scriptures  do  plainly  manifest,  that  God  is  a 
wonderful,  infinite,  eternal  spirit,  and  therefore  is  to 
be  worshipped  in  spirit  and  in  truth,  and  outward 
representations  of  the  Lord  Jehovah  border  on  idol- 
atry. Much  was  delivered  on  that  head ;  and  I  was 
told  after  meeting  that  divers  Papists  were  there, 
though  I  knew  nothing  of  it.  From  Nottingham  I 
went  to  Newcastle,  had  a  meeting  there,  and  then 
visited  a  sick  Friend,  with  which  he  expressed  much 
satisfaction ;  and  then  went  on  to  Center,  Kennet,  and 
Marlborough,  and  so  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  New 
Garden,  where  we  had  a  large  open  meeting,  wherein 
was  shown,  that  those  who  meddled  with  our  discipline, 
in  the  will,  nature,  spirit,  and  wisdom  of  man  only, 
could  do  but  little  service;  and  that  our  discipline, 
as  also  our  worship  and  ministry,  ought  to  be  per- 
formed in  the  wisdom  and  power  of  God,  through  the 
grace  and  spirit  of  Christ.  From  New  Garden  we 
went  to  Birmingham,  had  a  large  meeting,  and  I  was 
much  drawn  forth  to  the  youth,  of  whom  many  were 
there.  We  then  went  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for 
discipline  and  worship  at  Concord,  in  Chester  county, 
which  was  larger  than  I  had  ever  seen  there  before. 
In  the  meeting  for  discipline,  Friends  were  exhorted  to 
keep  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  to  speak  to  matters 
in  the  fear  of  God,  and  to  avoid  and  shun,  as  much 
as  in  them  lay,  self-will,  humor,  pride,  and  passion ; 
showing  that  the  rough,  crooked,  unhewn,  unpolished 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  191 

nature  of  man,  could  never  work  the  righteousness  of 
God,  and  is  contrary  to  the  meek,  self-denying  life 
of  Jesus.  John  Salkeld  and  Jacob  Howell  then  sig- 
nified that  they  were  going  to  visit  Friends  on  Long 
Island  and  Rhode  Island.  The  sense  of  the  call,  labor, 
and  work  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  and  of  the 
love  of  Christ,  in  the  freeness  of  it,  to  mankind,  took 
some  good  hold  on  divers  in  that  meeting,  and  the 
great  name  of  God,  and  his  dear  Son,  through  the 
Holy  Spirit,  was  glorified. 

From  this  meeting  I  came  home,  having  been  out 
on  this  journey  nearly  three  weeks,  was  at  twenty 
meetings,  and  travelled  more  than  two  hundred  miles, 
and  found  my  wife  and  children  in  health,  and  we 
rejoiced  to  see  each  other;  but  my  rejoicing  was  in 
fear,  even  almost  to  trembling,  lest  I  should  be  too 
much  lifted  up  when  things  were  agreeable  to  me. 

After  my  return  home  I  went  to  several  neighbor- 
ing meetings,  and  on  a  Fifth  day  was  at  Philadelphia, 
at  the  marriage  of  Richard  Smith  and  Elizabeth 
Powell.  The  meeting  was  large,  and  the  marriage 
solemnly  celebrated,  and  the  people  were  earnestly 
entreated  to  love  Christ  above  all,  and  to  manifest 
that  love  by  keeping  his  commandments,  and  that  not 
in  show  or  words  only,  but  in  the  heart  and  affections. 

About  the  latter  end  of  the  Third  month,  I  went 
to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  for 
the  county  of  Burlington ;  and  from  thence  to  Stony- 
brook  ;  where,  on  a  First  day,  we  had  a  large  meeting 
in  Joseph  Worth's  barn,  which  was  crowded  with  peo- 


192  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

pie,  and  was  a  solid,  good  time.  From  Stony-brook 
I  went  to  Crosswicks,  and  was  at  their  Youths'  Meet- 
ing, which  was  the  largest  I  had  seen  in  that  place. 
I  told  them  they  might  say  as  the  sons  of  the  prophets 
did,  that  "  the  place  was  too  straight  for  them,"  and 
advised  them  to  enlarge  it.  I  was  glad  to  see  such 
a  large  appearance  of  sober  people,  and  so  great  an 
increase  of  youth,  in  this  wilderness  of  America,  and 
exhorted  them  to  live  in  the  fear  of  God,  that  his 
blessings  might  still  be  continued  to  them;  and  an 
exercise  was  on  my  mind  for  the  welfare  of  the  young 
people,  to  show  them  the  danger  of  sin  and  vanity, 
and  of  keeping  ill  company,  and  following  bad  coun- 
sel ;  and  that  the  young  king,  Rehoboam,  Solomon's 
son,  lost  the  greater  part  of  his  father's  kingdom  by 
following  the  company  and  counsel  of  vain  young 
men ;  and  that  many  young  men  in  this  age  had  lost 
and  spent  the  estates  their  fathers  had  left  them,  by 
the  like  conduct,  and  brought  themselves  to  ruin,  and 
their  families  to  poverty  and  want.  Divers  lively 
testimonies  were  delivered  in  this  meeting,  and  it 
ended  with  adoration  and  praise  of  Almighty  God; 
and  although  the  meeting  held  more  than  four  hours, 
the  people  did  not  seem  willing  to  go  away  when  it 
was  over ;  for  indeed  it  was  a  solid,  good  time.  The 
business  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  carried  on  in 
peace  and  love,  that  being  the  mark  by  which  the 
disciples  of  Jesus  were  to  be  known,  and  Friends 
were  exhorted  with  a  great  deal  of  tenderness  to 
keep  it. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  193 

In  this  journey  I  travelled  about  ninety  miles,  and 
was  at  four  meetings,  being  from  home  four  days,  and 
was  much  satisfied  in  my  journey;  but  met  with  some 
exercise  when  I  came  home,  hearing  of  some  losses 
and  damage  to  my  estate;  so  that  I  found  after  I 
had,  according  to  my  best  endeavors,  done  the  will 
of  God,  I  had  need  of  patience,  that  I  might  receive 
the  promise.  I  was  sensible  of  the  messenger  of 
Satan,  the  thorn  in  the  flesh,  of  which  the  apostle 
speaks. 

About  this  time  a  loving  friend  of  mine  informed 
me  that  one  whom  I  very  well  knew  in  Barbadoes,  a 
minister  of  our  Society,  had  gone  into  an  open  separa- 
tion, so  as  to  keep  meetings  separate  from  his  brethren, 
and  contrary  to  their  advice.  I  was  concerned  in  love 
to  write  a  few  lines  to  him,  to  remind  him  of  the  un- 
happy state  and  end  of  such  who,  notwithstanding 
the  brotherly  'love  and  kind  treatment  of  Friends, 
had  separated  from  us,  and  losing  the  sense  of  Truth 
which  had  made  them  serviceable  in  the  church,  were 
actuated  by  a  rending,  dividing  spirit,  by  which  the 
enemy  of  our  happiness  had  so  far  obtained  his  end 
as  to  make  some  disturbance  for  a  time ;  but  few,  if 
any,  of  these  separatists,  have  had  further  power  than 
to  promote  and  maintain  their  separate  meetings  dur- 
ing their  own  lives ;  such  meetings  having,  in  every 
instance  I  have  known,  except  one,  and  that  lasted 
not  long,  dropped  on  the  death  of  the  founders.  And 
though  we  think  it  our  duty  to  testify  against,  and 

disown  all  such,  yet  this  disowning  is  only  until  the 
17 


194  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

persons  offending,  from  a  real  sense  of,  and  sorrow 
for,  their  faults,  acknowledge  and  oondemn  the  same; 
then  the  arms  of  Christ,  and  of  his  church,  are  open 
to  receive  and  embrace  them.  I  therefore  earnestly 
besought  him  to  consider  the  danger  of  offending  any 
who  love  and  believe  in  Christ,  though  ever  so  little 
in  their  own.  or  other  men's  esteem,  for  we  cannot 
have  true  peace  in  departing  from  the  pure  love  of 
God,  his  truth,  and  people ;  to  which  I  added  the  fol- 
lowing sentences  out  of  the  New  Testament : 

1.  "  By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my 
disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to  another."  Do  not 
lose  this  mark. 

2.  "  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  because  we  love  the  brethren.  He  that  loveth  not 
his  brother,  abideth  in  death." 

3.  "  He  that  loveth  not,  knoweth  not  God ;  for  God 
is  love." 

4.  "  He  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth  in  God,  and 
God  in  him." 

About  the  latter  end  of  the  Fourth  month  I  was  at 
a  meeting  at  Abington,  occasioned  by  a  burial ;  and 
in  the  beginning  of  the  Fifth  month,  I  was  at  a  mar- 
riage in  Philadelphia;  and  was  soon  after,  on  a  First 
day,  at  two  meetings  at  Germantown,  where  I  went 
to  visit  a  Friend  who  had  not  for  some  months  been 
at  meeting,  being  in  a  disconsolate  condition.  I  in- 
vited her  to  meeting,  where  the  love  and  goodness 
of  Christ  to  the  poor  in  spirit  was  largely  manifested, 
and  the  Friend  after  meeting  said  she  was  better,  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  195 

afterwards  recovered,  and  kept  to  meetings.  I  was 
frequently  at  the  Week-day  Meetings  at  Philadelphia; 
for  I  thought  that  week  not  well  spent,  in  which 
I  could  not  get  to  Week-day  Meetings,  if  I  was  in 
health. 

In  this  month  I  was  at  the  burial  of  George  Cal- 
yert,  who  was  one  of  a  sober  life  and  just  conversation, 
and  being  wTell  beloved  by  his  neighbors,  left  a  good 
report  behind  him.  Soon  after  which  I  was  at  Merion 
meeting,  which  was  large  and  solid :  the  people  were 
tenderly  exhorted,  that  neither  outward  favors,  nor 
spiritual  blessings,  might  make  them  grow  forgetful 
of  God ;  but  that  in  the  sense  of  the  increase  and 
enjoyment  thereof,  they  might  be  the  more  humble ; 
and  forasmuch  as  the  Christian  church  in  former  ages 
was  corrupted  by  temporal  riches  and  power,  it  was 
intimated,  that,  as  we  had  favor  shown  us  from  the 
government,  and  increase  of  outward  things,  we  should 
be  very  careful  not  to  abuse  those  privileges  by  grow- 
ing proud  and  wanton,  or  envious  and  quarrelsome ; 
but  "to  do  justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with 
God." 

In  this  month  I  was  at  Middletown,  in  Bucks  county, 
at  the  burial  of  my  dear  and  intimate  friend,  John 
Rutledge,  who  died  very  suddenly,  at  which  there 
were  above  one  thousand  people  :  he  was  well  beloved 
among  his  neighbors,  and  was  a  serviceable  man 
where  he  lived.  I  admired  to  see  such  a  number  of 
people  collected  upon  so  short  a  notice,  he  dying  one 
day  in  the  afternoon,  and  being  buried  the  day  follow- 


196  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ing ;  divers  testimonies  were  borne  concerning  the 
wonderful  works  and  ways  of  God.  It  was  a  pclid. 
bowing  time,  wherein  many  hearts  were  broken  an<3 
melted  into  tenderness.  After  meeting  a  young  man 
came  to  me  trembling,  and  begged  that  I  would  pray 
for  him,  for  he  had  spent  much  of  his  time  in  vanity, 
and  had  strong  convictions  for  it,  and  had  been  greatly 
affected  and  wrought  upon  that  day.  I  exhorted  him 
to  deny  himself,  and  to  take  up  his  cross,  and  to  follow 
Christ,  who  hath  said,  he  would  in  no  wise  cast  off  those 
who  came  to  him  in  true  faith.  He  went  from  me 
very  tender  and  loving,  being  broken  in  his  spirit. 

From  thence  I  went  to  Gwynned,  or  North  "Wales, 
and  on  the  First  day  of  the  week  had  a  very  large 
meeting.  In  the  morning  of  the  day  a  voice  awoke 
me,  which  cried  aloud,  saying,  "  Eewards  and  pun- 
ishments for  well  and  evil  doings  are  sealed  as  an 
eternal  decree  in  heaven,"  which  confirmed  me  that 
mankind  are  happy  or  unhappy  in  that  world  which 
is  to  come,  according  to  their  deeds  in  this  life;  if 
their  deeds  be  good,  as  Christ  said,  their  sentence  will 
be,  "  Come,  ye  blessed ;"  if  their  deeds  be  evil,  "  Depart 
from  me  all  ye  that  work  iniquity,"  and  "Go,  ye 
cursed,"  etc.  And,  "  If  thou  doest  well,  shalt  thou 
not  be  accepted?  And  if  thou  doest  not  well,  sin 
lieth  at  the  door."  And  again,  "  I  have  no  pleasure 
in  the  death  of  the  wicked,  but  that  the  wicked 
turn  from  his  way,  and  live."  These,  with  many 
more  texts  of  the  same  nature,  contained  in  the  holy 
Scriptures,  are  contrary  to  the  doctrine  o?  ^vxrwl 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  197 

election  arid  reprobation,  as  some  hold  it.  We  had  a 
meeting  in  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  which  was 
satisfactory  to  many;  our  hearts  being  filled  with  the 
love  of  God,  for  which  we  thankfully  praised  him. 
The  next  day  we  had  a  meeting  of  ministers,  in  which 
they  were  exhorted  to  wait  for  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  without  which  there  can  be  no  true  minister 
or  ministry.  I  was  concerned  to  put  them  in  mind 
to  keep  close  to  Christ,  their  sure  guide  and  bishop  ; 
to  be  cautious  of  going  before,  lest  they  should  miss 
their  way,  and  of  staying  too  far  behind,  for  fear  we 
should  lose  our  guide;  and  to  be  careful  to  keep  a 
conscience  void  of  offence  towards  God,  and  also  to- 
wards man ;  that  we  might  say  to  the  people  truly, 
follow  us  as  we  follow  Christ ;  that  our  conversation 
might  confirm  and  not  contradict  our  doctrine,  for 
our  Saviour  says,  "By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know 
them;  men  do  not  gather  grapes  of  thorns,"  etc.,  and 
he  charged  his  followers  not  to  be  like  such  as  say, 
and  do  not.  The  next  day  we  had  another  very  large 
meeting  there,  in  which  many  things  were  opened  and 
declared,  tending  to  establish  and  build  us  up  in  our 
faith  in  Christ.  After  this  meeting,  parting  with  my 
friend  John  Cadwallader,  who  accompanied  me,  I  came 
homeward,  lodging  that  night  at  Morris  Morris's, 
whose  wife  was  very  weakly,  with  whom  we  had  a 
tender  time. 

The  9th  of  the  Fifth  month,  I  was  at  the  General 
Meeting  at  Germantown,  which  was  a  large  and  good 

meeting.     Next  day  I  went  to  visit  Jane  Breintnall, 
17* 


198  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

who  was  seized  with  the  palsy,  and  the  Lord  was 
pleased  to  comfort  us  together,  as  she  expressed,  to 
our  mutual  satisfaction. 

On  the  30th  of  the  said  month,  was  our  Quarterly 
Meeting  of  ministers  at  Philadelphia,  where  humble 
walking  with  God  was  recommended  and  prayed  for, 
and  it  was  desired  that  ministers  might  be  exemplary 
therein,  having  Christ  for  their  pattern. 

On  the  1st  of  the  Sixth  month,  I  was  at  our  meeting 
at  Frankford,  which  was  dull  to  me  and  divers  others, 
a  lively  exercise  of  spirit  being  much  wanting  among 
many,  and  close  walking  with  God  in  conversation. 
If  we  would  really  enjoy  the  love  and  presence  of 
Christ  in  our  religious  meetings,  we  ought  to  keep 
near  to  him  in  our  daily  conversation ;  and  that  we 
might  do  so,  was  humbly  desired  in  supplication  and 
prayer  to  God. 

The  young  man  who  came  to  me  under  great  con- 
cern of  mind,  after  the  funeral  of  John  Kutledge, 
wrote  to  me,  that  he  was  followed  with  the  judgments 
of  God  for  his  manifold  transgressions,  desiring  that 
I  would  pray  for  him.  In  answer  to  his  letter,  I 
wrote  to  the  following  effect. 

"  Frankford,  7th  of  Sixth  month,  1725. 
"  Thine  from  Burlington,  of  the  26th  of  Fifth  month, 
I  received,  by  which  I  perceive  the  hand  of  the  Al- 
mighty hath  been  upon  thee  for  thy  vanity  and  folly. 
I  desire  that  thou  may  be  very  careful  to  keep  close 
to  that  hand,  and  do  not  go  from  under  it,  but  mind 


THOMAS  CHALKLEY.  199 

the  light  of  Christ  that  hath  discovered  God  to  be 
great  and  good,  and  his  dear  Son  to  be  thy  Saviour, 
and  sin  and  Satan  to  be  evil,  which  evil,  if  thou  follows 
it,  will  certainly  bring  thee  to  destruction  and  eternal 
woe ;  but  if  thou  follows  Christ,  and  walks  according 
to  that  light  by  which  he  hath  manifested  sin  to  be 
exceedingly  sinful ;  in  his  time,  as  thou  waits  in 
patience,  he  will  bring  thee  through  his  righteous 
judgments  unto  victory. 

"  Wait,  oh !  wait  in  patience  upon  God,  if  it  be  all 
thy  days !  '  I  will  bear  the  indignation  of  the  Lord, 
because  I  have  sinned  against  him.'  Again,  'All  the 
days  of  my  appointed  time  will  I  wait,  till  my  change 
come.' 

"  Thou  art  young  in  years,  and  young  in  experience 
in  the  work  of  grace,  wherefore  advise  with  solid,  good 
men,  if  thou  meets  with  inward  or  outward  straits  and 
difficulties,  for  the  enemy  will  not  easily  let  go  the 
hold  which  he  hath  had  of  thee ;  therefore  walk  cir- 
cumspectly, and  shun  evil  company.  As  to  praying 
in  a  form  of  words,  without  the  Spirit  helps,  in  order 
to  open  them  according  to  thy  state  and  condition, 
that  will  not  avail :  a  sigh  or  groan,  through  the  help 
of  the  Spirit,  is  much  more  acceptable  to  God,  than 
any  forms  without  it. 

"  That  in  the  Lord's  time  thou  may  est  enjoy  the 
reward  of  peace^  is  the  desire  of  thy  friend, 

"  Thomas  Chalkley." 

The  young  man  took  this  counsel  well,  and  kept  to 


2(70  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

meetings,  and  behaved  soberly  for  a  time,  but  after- 
wards ran  out,  kept  bad  company,  took  to  drinking  to 
excess,  ran  himself  in  debt,  and  at  length  into  a  jail, 
which  haih  been  the  unhappy  case  of  many  unstable 
youths,  who,  "  when  they  knew  God,  glorified  him  not 
as  God,  neither  were  thankful,  but  became  vain  in 
their  imaginations,  and  their  foolish  hearts  were 
darkened." 

In  thib  month  I  was  at  Byberry  and  Abington 
meetings,  ia  which  we  were  favored  with  the  imme- 
diate power  and  presence  of  Christ,  to  our  great 
comfort  and  edification,  the  visitation  of  divine  love 
to  the  youth,  having  a  good  effect  on  some  of  them, 
and  the  latter  meeting  ended  with  praise  to  the  Al- 
mighty, after  supplications  for  all  men,  from  our  king 
on  the  throne  to  the  meanest  of  his  subjects. 

In  my  travels  I  met  with  a  person,  who  queried  of 
me,  how  he  should  know  which  society  had  most  of 
the  holy  Spirit,  since  most  of  the  professors  of  Christ 
do  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  spirit  ?  to  whom  I 
made  the  following  answer. 

Let  the  rule  of  Christ  determine  this  question  :  he 
says,  "  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them ;  do  men 
gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles  ?  "  The  fruits 
then  of  the  Spirit  of  Christ  are,  love,  faith,  hope, 
patience,  humility,  temperance,  godliness,  brotherly 
kindness,  and  charity,  with  all  manner  of  virtues. 
Therefore  the  society  of  Christians,  which  brings  forth 
most  of  the  fruits  of  the  holy  Spirit,  consequently 
have  most  of  Christ's  grace  and  spirit.     But   some 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  201 

object  and  say,  we  will  not  believe  that  any  society 
have  the  Holy  Ghost  now,  or  the  immediate  revelation 
or  inspiration  of  the  Spirit,  unless  they  work  miracles. 
To  which  it  is  answered,  that  right  reformation  from 
sin,  and  true  faith  in  Christ,  cannot  be  wrought 
without  a  miracle,  neither  can  we  bring  forth  the 
fruits  of  the  Spirit  without  the  miraculous  power  of 
Christ.  Men  by  nature  bring  forth  the  works  of 
nature,  and  that  which  is  contrary  to  nature  is  mirac- 
ulous. Sin  is  natural;  but  divine  holiness,  or  the 
righteousness  of  Christ,  wrought  in  man,  is  spiritual, 
supernatural,  and  miraculous.  And  as  to  natural 
men,  who  are  in  a  state  of  nature,  seeing  outward 
miracles,  if  they  will  not,  or  do  not  believe  what  is 
written  in  the  holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testament,  neither  will  they  believe,  although  one 
were  to  rise  from  the  dead.  Notwithstanding  Christ 
wrought  outward  miracles,  and  did  the  works  which 
none  other  could  do ;  though  he  cured  all  manner  of 
diseases,  and  fed  many  thousands  with  a  few  loaves, 
and  a  few  small  fishes ;  and  what  remained  when  all 
had  eaten,  was  more  than  there  was  at  first ;  though 
he  raised  the  dead,  and  himself  arose  from  the  dead, 
yet  few,  but  very  few,  believed  in  him  so  as  truly  to 
follow  him.  His  birth,  his  life,  his  doctrine,  his  death, 
his  resurrection,  are  all  miraculous ;  and  since  all  this 
was  done  in  the  person  of  Christ,  and  at  the  first 
publication  of  his  religion  to  men,  there  is  now  no 
absolute  necessity  of  outward  miracles,  though  his 
power  is  the  same  now  as  ever ;  but  he  said  to  his 


202  THE   JOUKNAL   OF 

disciples,  "  He  that  believe th  on  me,  the  works  that  I 
do,  shall  he  do  also,  and  greater  works  than  these 
shall  he  do."  Upon  which, W.  Dell  says,  "  this  must 
be  understood  in  relation  to  sin ;  for  Christ  had  no  sin 
in  himself  to  overcome,  but  we  all  have  sinned,"  and 
to  overcome  sin  is  the  greatest  of  miracles.  This  will 
try  the  notional  or  nominal  Christian,  who  says  we 
can  never  overcome  sin  in  this  world.  Where  then  is 
our  faith  in  the  Son  of  God,  who  for  this  purpose  was 
manifested,  that  he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil. 

Therefore  let  not  Christians  be  slow  of  heart  to 
believe  in  the  glorious  gospel  of  Christ;  and  if  we 
truly  believe  therein,  and  live  in  the  practice  of  his 
doctrine,  we  shall  see  miracles  enough  to  satisfy  us 
for  ever. 

The  16th  of  the  Sixth  month,  I  was  at  the  weekly 
meeting  at  Frankford,  which,  though  small,  was  sweet, 
reviving,  and  comfortable  to  some  of  us ;  so  that  we 
had  a  sufficient  reward  for  leaving  our  business,  it 
being  the  time  of  our  harvest.  Week-day  meetings 
are  much  neglected  by  many ;  more  is  the  pity.  The 
apostle's  advice  is  necessary  for  men  in  our  age,  even 
of  professed  Christians,  viz. :  "  Let  us  consider  one 
another  to  provoke  unto  love  and  good  works,  not 
forsaking  the  assembling  of  yourselves  together,  as  the 
manner  of  some  is." 

The  23d  of  the  Sixth  month,  my  cart-wheel,  being 
iron-bound,  ran  over  me,  and  my  horse  kicked  me  on 
my  head;  the  wheel  put  my  shoulder  out,  and  the 
horse  wounded  my  head  so  that  the  skull  was  bare, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  203 

and  my  leg  was  sorely  bruised.  The  same  day  Dr. 
Owen  and  Dr.  Graham,  with  the  help  of  two  of  our 
neighbors,  set  my  shoulder  and  dressed  my  wounds ; 
and  the  Lord  was  so  merciful  to  me,  that  the  next  day 
I  was  enabled  to  write  this  memorandum  of  this  won- 
derful deliverance  and  speedy  cure,  for  which,  added 
to  many  others  I  have  received  from  his  gracious 
hand,  I  have  occasion  to  be  truly  thankful.  I  was 
obliged  to  keep  at  home  some  time,  and  I  thought  it 
long,  because  I  could  not  go  to  meetings  as  usual; 
but  many  Friends  came  to  see  me,  which  was  a  com- 
fort to  me.  One  day  upwards  of  thirty  persons  came 
from  several  parts  of  the  country  to  see  how  I  did, 
and  were  glad  I  was  likely  to  recover.  The  day 
before  I  was  so  hurt,  being  the  first  of  the  week,  I 
was  at  meeting  at  Philadelphia,  and  was  concerned  to 
speak  of  the  uncertainty  of  life,  and  the  many  accidents 
we  are  incident  to  in  these  frail  bodies,  and  exhorted 
Friends  to  live  so,  that  they  might  have  a  conscience 
serene  and  clear  of  offence  towards  God  and  man,  and 
then  they  might  expect  the  comforts  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  which  in  such  seasons  of  difficulty  would  be  a 
great  help  and  benefit  to  them.  Of  this  I  had  sweet 
experience  the  next  day,  under  great  extremity  of 
pain  ;  and  though  the  pain  of  my  body  was  such  that 
I  could  not  for  several  nights  take  my  natural  rest, 
yet  I  had  comfort,  through  the  sweet  influence  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  which  Christ  promised  his  followers. 


204  THE    JOURNAL   OP 


CHAPTER    VII. 

1724-1726. 

Travels  on  Eas  em  Shore  —  General  Visit  on  Long  Island,  Con* 
necticut,  and  New  York  —  Letter  to  Friends  on  Long  IslaDd  — 
Services  at  Burlington,  Philadelphia,  and  Neighborhood —  Visit 
to  New  Jersey  —  Journey  to  Oley,  etc.  —  Death  of  Thomas  Chalk- 
ley's  Father  —  Account  of  his  Death. 

On  the  18th  of  the  Seventh  month  began  our 
Yearly  Meeting  at  Philadelphia,  which  was  large, 
and  our  friends  John  Wanton  and  William  Anthony, 
from  Rhode  Island,  and  Abigail  Bowles,  from  Ire- 
land, had  good  service  therein.  From  this  meeting 
an  address  was  sent  to  King  George,  acknowledging 
his  favor  to  us  as  a  people,  in  giving  his  assent  to  a 
law  made  in  this  province,  prescribing  the  forms  of 
declaration,  affirmation,  etc.,  instead  of  those  hereto- 
fore used. 

The  beginning  of  the  Eighth  month,  being  a  little 
recovered  from  my  hurt,  I  had  a  desire  once  more  to 
see  my  friends  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland,  at 
their  General  Meeting  at  Choptank.  The  first  day 
I  set  out,  I  travelled  about  thirty  miles,  and  at  night 
was  very  weary,  being  weak  in  body,  and  I  was  almost 
ready  to  faint  in  my  mind  about  proceeding  further. 
Next  day  George  Robinson,  at  whose  house  I  lodged, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  205 

offering  to  accompany  me,  we  travelled  about  forty 
miles  to  Sassafras  river,  and  though  much  tired,  we 
were  comforted  in  each  other's  company  and  conver- 
sation. On  the  following  day  we  travelled  nearly 
twenty  miles  to  the  General  Meeting  in  Cecil  county, 
in  Maryland;  where  we  met  with  two  Friends  from 
B-hode  Island,  and  two  from  Pennsylvania,  who  were 
there  on  the  like  occasion.  The  meeting  was  large 
and  quiet,  many  people  being  there  not  of  our  Society, 
who  were  very  sober.  It  held  several  days,  and  the 
gospel  dispensation  was  set  forth,  and  the  love  of  God 
in  Christ,  exalted.  From  Cecil  we  went  to  Chester 
river,  and  had  a  meeting  there,  at  which  the  people 
were  exhorted  to  come  to  Christ,  the  eternal  rock  and 
true  foundation,  and  to  build  their  religion  on  him, 
against  whom  the  gates  of  hell  can  never  prevail  ; 
and  they  were  so  much  affected,  that  they  did  not 
seem  forward  to  leave  the  house  after  the  meeting 
was  over.  From  Chester  river  we  went  to  Third- 
haven  to  the  General  Meeting  of  Friends  for  Mary- 
land, which  was  very  large,  some  Friends  from  Penn- 
sylvania and  Virginia  being  there,  and  many  people 
of  other  societies.  Many  testimonies  were  borne  to 
the  work  of  Christ  by  his  spirit  in  the  soul,  and 
Friends  were  earnestly  desired  to  be  diligent  in  read- 
ing the  holy  Scriptures,  and  to  keep  up  the  practice 
of  our  wholesome  discipline;  by  the  neglect  of  which, 
a  door  would  be  open  to  loose  living  and  undue  liber- 
ties.    From  Third-haven  we  travelled  into  the  Great 

Forest,  between  the  bays  of  Chesapeake  and  Dela- 
18 


206  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ware,  and  had  a  satisfactory  meeting.  There  was  no 
public  meeting-house  in  this  place,  wherefore  I  told 
the  people  of  the  house,  I  was  obliged  to  them  for 
the  use  of  it ;  but  they  tenderly  answered,  they  were 
more  obliged  to  me  for  my  kind  visiting  of  them :  and 
truly  we  had  a  solid,  good  meeting  there;  the  people 
being  generally  poor,  they  had  but  little  notice  taken 
of  them  by  the  money-loving  teachers,  who  preach 
for  hire.  From  the  Forest  I  went  to  Little  creek,  in 
the  territories  of  Pennsylvania ;  where  was  a  General 
Meeting  for  the  counties  of  Newcastle,  Kent,  and 
Sussex.  The  meeting  was  large,  and  Friends  parted 
in  great  love  and  tenderness.  I  went  forward  to 
Duck  creek,  where  we  had  a  meeting,  divers  persons 
of  note  being  there,  and  all  were  quiet  and  heard 
with  attention.  From  Duck  creek  I  went  to  George's 
creek,  and  had  a  meeting;  where  a  man  of  a  sober 
conversation  said  he  had  never  heard  things  so  spoken 
to  before ;  but  that  he  could  witness  to  the  truth  of 
all  that  was  said.  It  was  a  good  meeting  before  the 
conclusion ;  but  I  was  very  low  and  poor  in  my  spirit 
in  the  beginning  of  it.  From  this  place  we  set  for- 
ward to  Newcastle,  where  we  had  a  meeting ;  it  was 
the,  time  of  the  sitting  of  the  General  Assembly,  and 
several  members  of  the  house  were  at  meeting.  The 
governor,  who  had  from  our  first  acquaintance  been 
very  respectful  to  me,  hearing  that  I  was  in  town, 
sent  to  desire  me  to  tarry  all  night  in  Newcastle ;  but 
being  engaged  to  a  meeting  over  the  rivers  Christiana 
and  Brandywine,  and  it  being  near  night,  I  could  not 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  207 

stay,  but  went  away  that  evening  and  sent  my  love 
to  him,  desiring  to  be  excused.  That  night  I  lodged 
at  John  Richardson's,  and  next  day  went  to  George 
Robinson's,  at  Newark,  where  we  had  a  meeting  on 
First  day,  and  on  Second  day  another  at  Providence; 
and  went  from  thence  to  Darby,  to  visit  our  worthy, 
aged  friend,  Thomas  Lightfoot,  who  lay  very  weak  in 
body,  none  expecting  his  recovery.  I  had  called  as 
I  'went  from  home,  and  then  he  was  very  ill,  and  told 
me,  "  He  thought  that  illness  would  conclude  his  time 
in  this  world,  but  said  that  all  was  well ;  and  that  he 
had  a  great  concern  upon  his  mind  for  the  growth 
and  prosperity  of  truth  in  the  earth,  and  desired 
with  tenderness  of  spirit,  that  I  would  give  his  dear 
love  to  all  Friends ; "  and  he  now  said,  "  I  thought 
never  to  see  thee  more,  but  am  glad  to  see  thee."  I 
stayed  there  all  night,  and  in  the  morning  we  had  a 
comfortable,  heart-melting  time  together,  in  which  was 
revived  the  remembrance  of  the  many  favorable  sea- 
sons of  God's  love  we  had  enjoyed  in  our  travels  in 
the  work  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  and 
we  tenderly  prayed,  if  we  never  met  more  in  this 
world,  we  might  meet  in  that  which  is  to  come,  never 
more  to  part,  but  forever  live  to  sing  with  all  the 
saints  and  holy  angels,  hallelujah  to  God  and  the 
Lamb.  From  Darby  I  went  to  Philadelphia  Third- 
day  meeting,  and  from  thence  to  my  house,  where 
my  dear  wife  and  children  with  open  hearts  and  arms 
received  me,  and  I  them  with  joy ;  at  which  time  I 
had  a  gracious  reward  of  peace  for  my  labor  of  love, 


208  THE   JOUKNAL    OF 

which  far  exceeded  silver  or  gold.  In  this  journey 
I  travelled  above  three  hundred  miles,  had  nineteen 
meetings,  and  was  from  home  above  three  weeks,  in 
which  time  I  recovered  of  my  lameness  to  admira- 
tion, so  that  I  had  with  satisfaction  to  remember  the 
apostle's  saying,  that  "All  things  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  God." 

After  my  return  I  was  at  the  General  Meeting  at 
Frankford ;  and  in  the  beginning  of  the  Ninth  month 
I  was  at  meetings  at  Abington,  Germantown,  and 
divers  times  at  Philadelphia,  particularly  at  the 
Youths'  Meeting,  wherein  several  testimonies  were 
borne,  and  the  youth  exhorted  to  piety  and  humility. 

On  the  5th  day  of  this  month  in  the  morning,  being 
under  a  consideration  of  the  many  sore  exercises  and 
trials  I  had  met  with  from  my  childhood,  I  was  much 
affected ;  but  the  following  portions  of  Scripture  being 
brought  to  my  remembrance,  afforded  me  some  relief: 
"  Whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth."  "  If  ye  be 
without  chastisement,  ye  are  bastards,  and  not  sons." 
"  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation,  but  be  of 
good  cheer,  I  have  overcome  the  world."  So  that  I 
patiently  bore  my  affliction  and  praised  God  under  it. 

In  this  month  I  was  at  the  funeral  of  our  worthy, 
ancient  Friend,  Thomas  Lightfoot.  He  was  buried 
at  Darby ;  the  meeting  was  the  largest  that  I  had 
ever  seen  at  that  place.  Our  dear  friend  was  greatly 
beloved  for  his  piety  and  virtue,  his  sweet  disposition 
and  lively  ministry :  the  Lord  was  with  him  in  his 
life  and  death,  and  with  us  at  his  burial. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  209 

I  was  also  about  this  time  at  German  town,  and  at 
a  General  Meeting  at  Plymouth,  to  my  great  satisfac- 
tion, being  accompanied  by  my  ancient  friend  Row- 
land Ellis ;  and  at  the  Third-day  meeting  in  Philadel- 
phia, at  the  time  of  our  fall  fair ;  there  were  fervent 
desires  and  prayers  in  several  of  us,  that  the  youth 
might  be  preserved  from  the  evils  prevalent  at  such 
times  of  liberty  and  profaneness. 

About  the  20th  of  the  month  I  went  for  Long 
Island,  being  drawn  in  true  love  to  make  a  general 
visit  to  Friends  there ;  and  likewise  having  some 
business  to  transact.  On  the  Fifth  day  of  the  week, 
Thomas  Masters  and  I  set  out  from  Frankford,  and 
in  the  evening  we  got  to  a  Friend's  house,  near  the 
falls  of  Delaware,  where  we  were  kindly  entertained, 
and  our  horses  taken  good  care  of:  to  take  due  care 
of  travellers'  horses  is  a  commendable  thing,  and 
more  grateful  to  some  travellers  than  to  take  care 
of  themselves.  From  the  falls  of  Delaware  we  trav- 
elled next  day  to  Piscataway,  and  lodged  at  an  inn ; 
and  on  the  next  day  we  went  to  Woodbridge,  to  John 
Kinsey's,  where  on  the  First  day  we  had  a  satisfactory 
meeting  with  Friends  and  others.  On  the  following 
day  John  Kinsey  went  with  us  to  Long  Island,  and 
that  night  got  to  John  Rodman's,  and  next  day  we 
rested,  being  weary  with  travelling  so  far  in  the  cold. 
Our  dear  friends  in  that  island  very  lovingly  received 
my  visit  to  them ;  so  that  I  had  occasion  to  remember 

that  saying  of  the  holy  Scripture,  "  Iron  sharpeneth 
18* 


210  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

iron;  so  a  man  sharpeneth  the  countenance  of  his 
friend!" 

The  Fifth  day  of  the  week  we  had  a  large  meeting 
at  Flushing,  and  another  in  the  evening  at  Obadiah 
Lawrence's,  which  was  an  open,  tender  time.  From 
Flushing  we  went  to  Cow-neck,  to  Joseph  Latham's, 
who  went  with  me  to  Westbury  meeting,  which,  con- 
sidering the  cold,  was  much  larger  than  I  expected. 
From  Westbury,  Nathaniel  Simmons,  Samuel  Under- 
bill, and  Phebe  Willet,  went  with  us  to  Bethpage, 
where  we  had  a  comfortable  evening  meeting  at  the 
house  of  Thomas  Powell,  who  went  with  us  next 
morning  to  a  town  called  Setawket ;  it  was  as  cold  a 
day's  travel  as  ever  I  went  through  in  all  my  life ; 
the  wind  was  in  our  faces,  and  northerly.  I  do  not 
remember,  though  I  had  been  a  traveller  above  thirty 
years,  that  ever  I  endured  so  much  hardship  by  cold 
in  one  day ;  my  chin  and  jaws  were  much  affected 
with  the  frost  for  several  days ;  but  we  had  a  good 
meeting  that  made  up  for  all.  After  which  we  went 
ten  miles  to  Amos  Willet's  house,  where  we  had  a 
serviceable  meeting ;  he  invited  his  neighbors,  who 
came  and  received  us  with  hearts  full  of  good  will ; 
and  those  not  of  our  Society  were  well  satisfied  with 
the  meeting ;  so  that  we  went  on  our  way  rejoicing 
that  we  were  favored  with  the  good  presence  of  God 
in  our  journey.  Amos  Willet  and  his  wife  went  with 
us  to  Huntington,  where  we  had  a  quiet,  peaceable 
meeting,  and  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  was 
with  us,  as  many  can  witness  that  were  there.     From 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  211 

hence  we  went  to  Samuel  Underbill's,  and  visited  his 
weak  brother ;  in  which  visit  the  Lord  mightily  re- 
freshed us  together,  and  we  blessed  his  holy  name, 
for  "He  is  good  to  all  them  who  put  their  trust  in 
him."  Next  day  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  Matini- 
cock,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  at  Thomas  Pear- 
sail's.  The  next  day  being  a  snowy,  stormy  day, 
and  one  of  the  shortest  in  the  year,  we  went,  being 
eighteen  in  company,  to  Cow-neck,  where  we  had  a 
good  meeting,  and  much  larger  than  could  be  expected. 
After  meeting  we  went  to  Joseph  Latham's,  and  had 
a  tender,  open  evening  meeting,  in  which  we  were 
edified  and  refreshed  in  Christ  Jesus. 

From  Cow-neck  I  went  to  Flushing,  had  a  large 
meeting  on  the  First  day  of  the  week,  and  on  Second 
day  went  over  the  sound  which  divides  Long  Island 
from  the  main  continent,  to  Horse-neck,  and  had  a 
meeting  where  I  understood  there  never  had  been  one 
before :  the  people  were  sober  and  attentive,  and  some 
expressed  their  satisfaction.  That  evening  we  had  a 
meeting  at  an  inn  near  Byram  river,  where  divers 
people  came,  and  were  attentive;  the  innkeeper,  his 
father,  brother,  wife,  and  several  others,  took  our 
visit  very  kindly ;  though  there  was  one  restless  man, 
who  seemed  to  be  out  of  order  with  drink  before  he 
came  into  the  house.  When  we  were  sitting  in  silence 
waiting  for  the  gift  of  Christ,  and  worshipping  in 
spirit,  as  Christ  instituted,  he  sitting  by  me,  jogged 
me,  and  said,  "  It  is  time  to  begin,  for  there  are  as 
many  come  as  will  come  to-night;"  he  was 'mistaken 


212  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

in  that ;  but  not  having  patience  to  watch  and  pray, 
he  went  away ;  after  which  we  had  a  good  meeting. 
These  two  meetings  were  in  the  Government  of  Con- 
necticut, where  they  formerly  made  a  law  imposing  a 
fine  of  five  pounds  on  those  who  should  entertain  any 
of  our   Society,  which   law  I  was   informed  was  re- 
pealed in  Great  Britain.     From  thence  we  travelled 
into  New  York  government,  and  had  a  meeting  at 
Rye,  and   another   at   Mamaroneck;   then   to    "West 
Chester,  and  had  a  meeting  there  on  a  Sixth  day  of 
the  week,  intending  to  go  over  the  ferry  next  day  to 
Long  Island ;  but  the  wind  being  high  and  boisterous, 
so  that  we  could  not  get  over,  we  tarried  three  nights 
at  the  house  of  John  Stephenson,  where  we  were  lov- 
ingly and  generously  entertained.     On  First  day  we 
were   again  at  West  Chester  meeting,  which  ended 
comfortably,  though  I  was  in  a  low  state  both  of  body 
and  mind  in  the  beginning  of  it.     On  Second  day  we 
all  got  well  over  the  ferry  to  Long  Island,  parting 
with  our  friends  at  the  ferry  in  much  love  and  good 
will.     Joseph  Latham  having  been  my  fellow-traveller 
on  the  main,  I  went  to  his  house ;  then  to  Westbury 
to  a  large  meeting,  and  next  to  Bethpage,  and  had  a 
meeting  there;  and  in  the  evening,  accompanied  by 
Samuel  Bowne  and  Joseph  Latham,  I  went  to  Jeru- 
salem,  and   had  a  large   and   satisfactory    meeting: 
many  of  the  people  of  the  town  who  were  there,  came 
the  next  day   to  our  meeting  at  Hempstead,  which 
was  large.     The  great  Lord  of  all  was  good  to  us  that 
day,  which  I  hope  many  who  were  there  will  not 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  213 

forget;  and  some  convincement  was  wrought  on  some 
who  were  of  account  in  the  world,  at  these  last-men- 
tioned meetings;  one  who  lived  at  Jerusalem,  with 
tenderness  of  spirit,  desired  my  remembrance,  whom 
I  pray  God  to  preserve  to  the  end,  with  all  those  who 
love  and  fear  him,  and  believe  in  his  Son. 

From  Hempstead  I  went  to  Matinicock,  where,  on 
a  First  day  of  the  week,  we  had  a  large  and  good 
meeting;  then  to  Thomas  Townsend's,  on  the  Plains, 
at  whose  house  we  had  an  evening  meeting.  Next 
morning  many  Friends  from  the  Plains  went  with  us 
to  the  south  side  of  the  island,  to  a  place  called  Eock- 
away,  where  we  had  a  meeting  at  Hicks's,  the  neighbors 
coming  to  it  pretty  generally;  there  was  great  open- 
ness to  receive  the  doctrine  of  truth  in  those  not  of 
our  Society,  and  they  were  very  kind  to  us  in  those 
parts.  This  was  the  second  meeting  I  had  been  at  in 
this  place,  Benjamin  Holme  having  the  first  there, 
since  which  they  had  not  been  visited  by  any  Friend 
in  the  ministry  except  myself.  From  Eockaway  we 
went  to  Foster's  meadow,  where  was  a  large  gathering 
of  people,  and  Christ  filled  our  hearts  with  divine 
love.  I  then  went  to  Peter  Titus's,  and  had  a  meeting 
at  his  house,  to  which  came  the  neighbors,  and  were 
well  affected ;  and  next  day  we  had  a  meeting  in  the 
meeting-house  at  Westbury,  which  was  very  large 
and  to  our  satisfaction.  From  Westbury,  in  the 
evening,  we  went  to  visit  a  young  woman  who  had 
been  in  a  despairing  condition  for  several  years.  The 
family  came  together,  and  we  put  up  our  prayers  to 


214  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

the  Almighty,  in  the  name  of  his  dear  Son ;  it  was  a 
good  time  to  us  all;  and  the  young  woman  and  some 
others  expressed  their  satisfaction. 

This  evening  we  went  to  see  another  young  woman 
who  was  in  a  deep  consumption,  but  in  a  very  com- 
fortable state  of  mind  ;  having  a  great  desire  to  see 
me  before  she  died,  she  sent  for  me  to  come  to  her, 
and  her  desire  was  answered,  her  spirit  being  revived 
with  a  fresh  visitation  of  the  love  of  Jesus  Christ,  the 
holy  physician  of  value,  and  our  supplications  were, 
that  the  Lord  would  be  pleased  to  be  with  her,  and 
support  her  to  the  end,  and  grant  her  an  easy  passage 
from  this  life  to  his  glorious  kingdom,  when  it  should 
please  him  to  remove  her;  which  prayer  we  have 
cause  to  hope  was  answered. 

Though  the  days  were  short  and  the  weather  ex- 
ceedingly cold,  we  rode  about  fifteen  miles  and  made 
these  two  visits,  after  that  great  meeting  at  Westbury ; 
but  our  good  Master  supported  us,  and  was  with  us  in 
our  exercises  and  service  for  his  name  and  truth's 
sake.  I  lodged  this  night  at  Joseph  Rodman's,  and 
was  next  day  at  Flushing  week-day  meeting,  which 
was  very  large  and  satisfactory ;  had  a  meeting  the 
same  evening  at  Samuel  Bowne's,  and  the  next  day 
went  to  New  York,  and  had  a  quiet,  good  meeting  in 
the  evening  at  Samuel  Harrison's,  and  on  the  morrow 
had  an  evening  meeting  at  a  place  called  the  Kills, 
at  the  house  of  Richard  Hallet,  and  the  next  day 
being  First  day,  had  a  large  meeting  at  Newtown,  to 
the  edification  of  Friends  and  other  sober  people. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  215 

It  being  now  generally  known  that  I  was  on  the 
island,  the  people  flocked  to  meetings,  though  the 
weather  was  extremely  cold,  for  the  Lord  in  the 
riches  of  his  love  manifested  himself  unto  us  in  our 
meetings  for  the  worship  of  his  holy  name.  The 
next  meeting  was  at  James  Jackson's,  at  Eocky-hill, 
where  was  Judge  Hicks,  the  high  sheriff,  and  a  jus- 
tice of  the  peace,  with  several  other  persons  of  note, 
with  whom,  and  our  friends,  we  had  a  good  time  to 
set  forth  the  work  of  grace  and  reformation,  I  think, 
to  general  satisfaction,  for  which  we  blessed  the  holy 
name  of  God,  and  humble  prayer  was  put  up  to  him 
for  all  men,  and  particularly  for  our  King  George,  as 
also  for  all  in  authority  under  him,  and  that  they  might 
be  a  terror  to  evil-doers,  and  the  praise  of  them  that 
do  well.  The  next  meeting  was  at  Jamaica,  which 
was  also  large,  and  several  in  authority  were  there, 
and  were  very  loving  and  respectful.  The  next  First 
day  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  Cow-neck,  which  was 
somewhat  crowded.  Though  my  exercises  were  very 
great,  I  was  glad  that  there  was  such  openness  and 
room  in  people's  hearts  to  receive  the  doctrine  which 
I  had  to  declare  unto  them,  in  the  name  and  power 
of  Christ;  afterwards  we  had  an  evening  meeting 
with  the  widow  Titus,  to  which  divers  Dutch  people 
came,  and  were  very  attentive  and  sober.  On  the 
Third  day  of  the  week  we  had  a  meeting  near  the 
place  called  Hurl-gate,  a  narrow  passage  in  the  great 
sound  or  bay,  between  Long  Island  and  the  main 
land.     Several  justices  and  their  wives  attended  it, 


216  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

one  of  whom  had  disowned  his  son  and  turned  him 
out  of  doors  for  coming  among  us ;  but  beholding  his 
son's  sober  conversation,  he  grew  more  moderate,  and 
after  meeting  he  and  his  wife  invited  us  to  dine  with 
them ;  but  we  were  engaged  to  visit  the  widow  Ste- 
phens that  evening,  at  whose  house  we  had  a  meet- 
ing. Going  thither,  it  being  very  cold  and  stormy, 
my  hands  were  touched  with  the  frost,  and  perceiving 
it  when  I  came  to  the  fire,  I  called  for  a  basin  of  cold 
water,  which  soon  cured  them :  I  note  this  that  others 
may  reap  benefit  thereby.  Next  day  we  went  to  the 
week-day  meeting  at  Newtown,  and  on  Fifth  day  to 
Flushing  meeting,  which  was  large  and  to  edification, 
and  in  the  evening  had  a  meeting  at  our  ancient 
friend  Hugh  Cowperthwait's,  which  was  acceptable  to 
him,  as  he  expressed  when  it  was  ended ;  and  to  us 
also.  On  Seventh  day  we  had  a  very  large  evening 
meeting  at  Thomas  Pearsall's,  and  likewise  a  large, 
good  meeting,  the  day  after,  being  First  day,  at 
Matinicock,  wherein  the  kingdom  of  Christ  was  ex- 
alted, and  the  deformed  state  of  sin  and  iniquity 
represented,  and  the  example  and  doctrine  of  Christ 
closely  recommended,  in  order  to  the  overcoming  of 
sin,  this  being  not  only  possible,  but  the  duty  of 
Christians,  through  the  power  of  Christ  and  true 
faith  in  his  holy  name.  The  danger  of  believing  that 
it  is  impossible  to  overcome  sin  was  opened  to  them, 
and  that  such  a  belief  is  contrary  to,  and  against 
Christ  and  his  doctrine,  and  darkens  and  blinds  the 
hearts  of  men ;  but  the  love  of  Christ  enlightens  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  217 

soul,  and  strengthens  it  to  believe  that  all  things  are 
possible  with  God ;  for  this  great  work  cannot  be  done 
in  the  will,  wit,  and  power  of  man,  but  through  the 
power  and  grace  of  Christ,  which  he  promised  to  true 
believers  in  him. 

I  was  faint  after  this  meeting,  but  resting  a  little, 
soon  grew  better,  so  that  we  had  an  evening  meeting 
at  James  Cock's,  where  one  came  and  told  us,  we  must 
not  eat  any  flesh,  and  produced  Thomas  Tryon's  works 
for  his  proof.  I  took  the  bible  and  showed  him  proof 
to  the  contrary,  and  told  him  we  were  resolved  to 
believe  our  book  before  his,  and  showed  him  from  the 
apostle,  that  the  kingdom  of  God  is  not  meat  and 
drink,  nor  divers  washings,  but  righteousness,  peace, 
and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost.  Though  at  the  same 
time,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  his 
apostles,  I  was  for  temperance  in  meats  and  drinks, 
as  well  as  moderation  in  apparel.  The  next  day  we 
had  a  very  large  meeting  at  Oyster  bay,  many  being 
there  who  were  not  of  our  Society,  who  steadily  gave 
attention  to  what  was  declared;  and  there  being  many 
young  people,  they  were  persuaded  to  give  up  their 
blooming  years  to  do  the  will  of  God,  and  to  remem- 
ber him  their  Creator,  in  their  youthful  days.  Friends 
said  there  had  not  been  such  a  meeting  there  a  great 
while,  for  which  opportunity  I  was  humbly  thankful 
to  the  Lord.  After  meeting  we  went  to  Samuel 
Underbill's,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  with  his 
brother,  who,  through  sickness  and  lameness,  could 

not  get  out  for  a  long  time.     Next  day  Samuel  Bowne 
19 


218  .  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

being  with  me,  we  went  to  visit  a  young  woman  who 
was  weak  in  body,  but  lay  in  a  comfortable  frame  of 
mind ;  she  was  thankful  for  our  visit,  and  said  the 
visits  of  her  friends  were  comfortable  to  her.     Next 
day  being  the  Fourth  of  the  week,  we  had  a  meeting 
at  the  widow  Taylor's,  who  desired  it  on  account  of 
her  father,  then  in  the  eighty-eighth  year  of  his  age, 
and  so  infirm,  that  he  could  not  get  to  meetings ;  he 
was  very  clear  in  his  understanding  and  memory,  and 
was  much  refreshed  with  this  meeting,  as  were  divers 
of  us  also.     Next  day  we  had  a  meeting  at  Flushing, 
which  was  large  and  open,  and  the  grace  and  power 
of  Christ  was  with    us   in    the  ministration  of  the 
gospel.     After  this  meeting  we  had  an  evening  meet- 
ing with  our  ancient  friend  Joseph  Thorne,  who  by 
reason  of  his  age  and  infirmity  could  not  go  abroad 
as  far  as  the  meeting-house :'  many  of  his  neighbors 
and   friends  came,  and  we   had  a  solid,  good   time 
together.     While  at  Flushing,  I  went  to  visit  a  young 
woman  who  was  a  most  sad  spectacle  to  behold,  an 
object  of  great  pity :  her  face,  hand,  and  foot  being 
much   eaten  away  by  the  king's  evil;    our  prayers 
were,  that  now  in  her  great  misery,  the  Almighty 
would  be  pleased  to  support  her  soul  by  his  grace 
and  spirit,  and  sanctify  her  affliction  to  her,  that  it 
might  work  for  her  a  more  exceeding  weight  of  glory 
in  that  world  which  is  to  come.     The  next  First  day 
we  had  a  large  meeting  at  Flushing,  wherein  many 
weighty  truths  were  opened  to  the  satisfaction  and 
edification  of  the  auditory,  and  in  the  evening  we 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  219 

had  a  meeting  with  the  wife  of  Matthew  Farrington, 
who  was  too  weakly  to  go  abroad ;  the  neighbors 
came  in,  and  we  had  a  seasonable  opportunity.  On 
Third  day  was  the  Youths'  Meeting  at  Flushing,  in 
which  we  were  concerned  to  exhort  them  to  obedience 
to  God  and  their  parents,  and  to  follow  their  parents 
as  they  follow  Christ;  for  where  any  leave  Christ, 
there  we  are  to  leave  their  example,  though  they 
were  our  fathers  or  mothers ;  and  the  right  honoring 
of  our  parents  was  set  forth,  and  they  exhorted  not 
to  despise  the  day  of  small  things ;  the  happy  state 
of  the  obedient,  and  the  unhappy  state  of  the  disobe- 
dient, with  many  other  weighty  truths  were  deliv- 
ered to  them  in  that  meeting,  by  several  experienced 
Friends.  From  Flushing  I  went  to  the  week-day 
meeting  at  Newtown,  and  in  the  evening  we  had  a 
meeting  at  the  widow  Way's ;  the  neighbors  coming 
in,  we  had  a  good  time  with  them :  the  parable  of 
the  ten  virgins  was  treated  of,  and  the  great  disad- 
vantage of  wanting  the  divine  oil  of  grace  in  our 
vessels,  was  shown  to  them. 

The  next  day  being  the  Fifth  of  the  week,  we  had 
a  very  large,  satisfactory  meeting  at  the  widow  Al- 
sop's,  at  the  Kills ;  and  from  thence  with  several 
Friends  went  to  New  York,  where  we  had  three 
meetings  to  our  edification,  the  weather  still  remain- 
ing very  cold,  but  we  felt  the  love  of  Christ  to  waim 
our  hearts,  and  though  I  think  I  never  felt  it  colder, 
I  never  had  my  health  better.  Several  Friends  ac- 
companied  us  to  the  boaf  at  New  York,  the  water 


220  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

being  open  on  that  side,  we  took  our  leave  of  each 
other,  and  put  out  for  the  other  shore ;  but  before 
we  got  there,  we  were  blocked  up  in  the  ice,  and  it 
was  a  considerable  time  before  we  could  work  our 
way  through,  but  at  last  got  well  on  Long  Island, 
where  I  waited  some  hours  for  company,  who  through 
some  difficulty  got  on  shore.  We  went  to  the  Nar- 
rows through  a  storm  of  wind  and  snow,  but  the 
wind  being  high,  we  could  not  get  over  that  night 
nor  the  next  day,  the  ice  having  come  down  and 
filled  the  bay :  when  the  tide  had  driven  away  the 
ice,  we  put  out  and  got  well  over,  and  lodged  at 
the  ferry-house  on  Staten  Island.  Next  morning  we 
went  to  the  ferry  at  the  Blazing  Star,  over  against 
Woodbridge,  but  it  was  all  fastened  with  ice,  and  we 
not  daring  to  venture  over  it,  went  to  the  ferry  at 
Amboy,  and  got  comfortably  over,  stayed  there  that 
night,  and  next  day  went  to  Trenton  and  lodged  at 
Captain  Gould's,  who  treated  me  very  kindly,  I  being 
much  tired  with  travelling.  Next  morning  I  went 
over  Delaware  river  on  the  ice,  as  we  had  done  the 
day  before  over  the  Rariton,  and  that  day  being  the 
5th  of  Twelfth  month,  I  got  safely  home  to  my  loving 
spouse  and  tender  children,  where  I  found  all  well 
and  a  hearty  reception,  having  travelled  six  hundred 
miles,  and  attended  above  sixty  meetings. 

After  having  been  at  home,  at  our  own  meeting  at 
Frankford,  I  went  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Phi- 
ladelphia, where  Friends  were  glad  to  see  me. 

On  the  next  Fifth  day  I  was  at  the  marriage  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  221 

Thomas  Masters  and  Hannah  Dickinson,  where  were 
many  sober  people  not  of  our  Society. 

Having  been  lately  among  Friends  at  Long  Island, 

•  and  been  comforted  in  the  many  opportunities  we  had 

together,  it  came  into  my  mind  to  visit  them  with  an 

epistle  at  their  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Flushing,  which 

was  as  followeth  : 

"  Frankford,  Twelfth  month,  1725. 

"My  dear  and  well  beloved  Friends,  —  Be- 
lieving it  might  be  acceptable  to  you  to  hear  that  I 
was  got  well  to  my  habitation  in  such  a  difficult  time 
of  the  year  as  that  in  which  I  set  out  from  you ;  and 
also  feeling  the  sweet  influence  of  the  love  of  the 
heavenly  Father,  and  his  dear  Son  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  arise  and  spring  in  my  heart,  and  flowing 
towards  you,  it  came  into  my  mind  to  write  a  few 
lines  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  Friends  at  Flush- 
ing, by  way  of  epistle,  well  knowing  also  that  many 
of  us  are  as  epistles  written  in  one  another's  hearts 
by  the  finger  of  the  Most  High ;  and  those  characters 
of  divine  love  so  written  will  not  easily  be  erased.  I 
could  willingly  have  been  at  your  Quarterly  Meeting, 
but  had  been  so  long  from  my  family,  that  I  was 
much  wanted  therein,  and  my  coming  home  was  sea- 
sonable and  acceptable,  both  to  them  and  my  friends ; 
and  I  humbly  thank  the  Lord,  I  found  all  well.  That 
which  is  on  my  mind  to  your  Quarterly  Meeting,  is 
concerning  the  government  of  the  church  of  Christ, 

of  which  he  is  the  holy  head  and  lawgiver ;  wherefore 
19* 


222  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

we  are  to  seek  and  wait  for  counsel  and  wisdom  from 
him,  in  all  our  Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings,  for 
the  well  ordering  of  our  little  Society,  which  is  grow- 
ing and  increasing  in  the  earth,  and  also  in  your 
island,  notwithstanding  the  invidious  attempts  of 
some  men  of  corrupt  minds;  and  it  will  grow  and 
increase  more  and  more,  as  we  keep  our  places,  our 
heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus. 

"Dear  Friends,  the  good  order  of  truth  and  the 
government  of  Christ  in  his  church,  is  a  great  help 
to  us  and  our  children,  when  carried  on  in  Christ's 
spirit;  [pray  observe  or  mind  that;]  for  if  our  order 
and  church  government  be  carried  on  in  the  spirit 
of  man,  as  he  is  mere  man,  though  he  is  ever  so 
crafty  or  cunning,  it  will  do  more  hurt  than  good  in 
the  church  of  Christ.  Christ's  spirit  must  govern 
Christ's  church;  and  when  and  where  that  is  over 
all,  then  and  there  Christ's  church  and  kingdom  are 
exalted,  of  whose  kingdom  and  peace  there  will  be 
no  end ;  and  happy  will  all  those  be  whose  end  is  in 
it.  Moses,  that  man  of  God,  governed  in  the  Jewish 
church  in  the  spirit  of  God,  and  when  he  found  the 
work  too  heavy  for  him,  the  Lord  put  his  spirit  on 
seventy  more,  who  were  help-meets  in  the  govern- 
ment ;  so  that  it  was  God's  spirit  that  governed ;  and 
while  that  ruled,  all  was  well ;  but  when  they  went 
from  that,  they  fell  into  error  and  disobedience.  At 
length  the  Messiah  came,  and  he  governed  his  own 
little  flock  himself;  and  when  he  ascended  up  on 
high,  he  promised  that  his  spirit  should  be  with  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  223 

in  his  church  forever,  and  be  their  holy  guide  into 
all  truth,  in  which  he  would  also  comfort  them  :  and 
Christ  fulfilled  this  his  promise ;  for  when  his  disci- 
ples waited  at  Jerusalem  to  be  endued  with  power 
from  on  high,  according  to  the  advice  of  their  Lord, 
they  were  filled  with  the  gift  and  grace  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  And  when  the  brethren  and  elders  met  to- 
gether about  the  affairs  and  government  of  the  church, 
they  gave  forth  rules  and  orders  from  that  general 
meeting  to  the  particular,  ones ;  and  the  Holy  Ghost 
presided  amongst  them,  which  they  signified  to  the 
other  meetings,  saying,  '  It  seemed  good  to  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  to  us,  to  put  you  in  mind  of  such  and  such 
things.'  And  while  this  Holy  Ghost,  or  Spirit,  gov- 
erned in  the  primitive  Christian  Church,  all  was  well ; 
God  and  Christ  was  glorified,  and  his  church  and 
people  edified ;  but  by  going  from  that  the  apostasy 
came  in. 

"  Wherefore,  dear  Friends,  keep  close  to  the  spirit, 
power,  light,  and  divine  life  of  Christ  Jesus,  in  your 
Monthly  and  Quarterly  Meetings  for  the  government 
of  the  church,  as  well  as  in  your  meetings  for  the 
worship  of  the  Almighty ;  for  if  we  go  from  that  he 
will  go  from  us. 

"And,  dear  Friends,  the  testimony  of  Jesus,  in  the 
spirit  of  prophecy,  opens  in  me  after  this  manner, 
that  if  our  Society  keep  and  live  up  to  the  spirit  and 
truth  of  Christ,  which  hath  been  manifested  to  our 
forefathers,  and  to  us  also  in  this  age,  the  great  Lord 
of  all  will  prosper  his  work  in  our  hands,  and  bless 


224  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

both    us    and    our  children,  as  we   and   they  keep 
therein. 

"And  as  we  have  kept  close  to  this  our  heavenly 
guide,  how  hath  the  Lord  sweetly  manifested  his  love 
and  power  to  us  in  our  meetings  for  the  well  ordering 
of  our  Society?  which  many  times  hath  filled  our 
hearts  with  pure  praises  and  holy  thanksgiving  to 
the  high  and  lofty  One  who  inhabits  eternity,  and 
dwells  in  the  highest  heavens,  and  is  light  forever : 
to  whom,  with  the  Lamb  of  God,  who  takes  away  the 
sins  of  the  world,  I  recommend  you,  my  dear  and 
well  beloved  friends,  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ, 
with  my  own  soul.  Thomas  Ohalkley. 

"  P.  S.  Since  my  return  I  have  been  thankful  to 
God  for  the  many  favorable  visitations  and  good  op- 
portunities he  was  pleased  to  grant  me  with  you  and 
divers  sober  people  on  your  island,  in  which  there  is 
an  open  door  among  many  to  receive  the  testimony 
of  Truth.  I  commend  your  nobility  in  building  good 
houses,  and  making  room  for  your  sober  neighbors  to 
sit  with  you  in  your  meetings ;  this  is  of  good  report 
concerning  you,  both  far  and  near,  and  if  I  apprehend 
right,  there  is  more  work  of  that  kind  for  you  to  do. 
I  thought  often,  when  among  you,  and  now  also,  that 
there  would  be  a  large  gathering,  if  there  were  a 
house  built  at  the  upper  end  of  the  Great  Plains,  not 
far  from  Foster's  meadow  ;  but  every  one  may  not 
think  or  see  alike ;  though  I  know  some  solid  Friends 
among  you,  thought   the   same  with  me,  about  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  225 

prospect  of  a  large  gathering  thereaway,  if  a  house 
-were  built ;  to  which  Friends  and  well  inclined  people 
might  come  from  Hempstead,  Rocky-hill,  Rockaway, 
Foster's  meadow,  etc.  Thomas  Chalkley." 

After  my  service  on  Long  Island,  I  had  great  sweet- 
ness upon  my  spirit  for  some  time,  which  sometimes 
caused  my  heart  to  sing  for  joy  ;  and  yet  I  rejoiced  in 
a  trembling  frame  of  spirit,  and  had  the  true  sense  of 
what  is  written  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  where  it  is 
said,  "  Serve  the  Lord  with  fear,"  I  take  it  to  be  filial 
fear,  "  and  rejoice  with  trembling,"  for  fear  of  losing 
that  precious  sense  of  the  love  of  God  which  is  in 
Christ. 

On  the  20th  of  the  Twelfth  month,  the  First  day 
of  the  week,  I  was  at  Abington  meeting,  in  which  the 
love  of  Christ  was  manifested  to  us,  in  the  opening  of 
his  saying,  "If  I  be  lifted  up,  I  will  draw  all  men 
unto  me."  The  next  day  I  was  at  Germantown,  at 
the  burial  of  a  son  of  Dennis  Conrad,  at  which  also 
was  our  friend  Abigail  Bowles.  On  the  Sixth  day 
following,  I  went  to  the  General  Meeting  of  ministers 
and  elders  at  Burlington,  where  I  again  met  with  our 
said  friend  and  divers  others.  The  First  day  meeting 
was  large;  and  on  Second  day  was  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  for  the  county  ;  and  on  Third  day  was  their 
Youths'  Meeting,  where  many  weighty  truths  were 
delivered.  On  Fourth  day  we  were  at  a  meeting  at 
Springfield ;  the  house  was  pretty  much  thronged, 
and  Friends  were  exhorted  thankfully  to  commemo- 


226  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

rate  the  mercies  and  favors  of  the  Almighty  to  them, 
and  desired  to  enlarge  their  meeting-houses  as  their 
number  increased;  for  in  those  parts  there  was  such 
an  openness  in  the  hearts  of  the  people  and  increase 
of  their  number,  that  Friends  had  already  agreed  on 
building  two  meeting-houses  between  Crosswicks  and 
Burlington  ;  their  zeal  and  unanimity  therein,  were 
worthy  of  commendation.  Fifth  day  being  the  week- 
day meeting  at  Burlington,  Friends  of  the  town 
desired  I  would  stay  at  it.  I  thought  we  had  just 
before  had  divers  good  opportunities,  and  my  own 
inclination  seemed  to  lead  to  my  family ;  but  Friends 
being  desirous  of  my  staying,  I  did  so,  and  we  had  a 
good  meeting.  After  it,  a  solid  Friend  said,  "  he 
thought  we  had  the  best  wine  at  last ;"  and  indeed 
the  love  of  God,  through  Christ,  is  so  sweet  to  his 
people,  that  the  last  often  seems  the  best,  when  it  is 
only  a  renewed  visitation  of  the  same  love  to  his 
children.  I  went  home  rejoicing  that  I  was  in  some 
measure  accounted  worthy  to  serve  so  good  and  so 
gracious  a  Master. 

On  the  6th  day  of  the  First  month,  being  the  first 
of  the  week,  I  was  at  the  morning  and  afternoon 
meetings  in  Philadelphia,  wherein  those  who  call 
themselves  freethinkers,  were  exhorted  to  be  careful 
of  drinking  too  freely,  lest  they  might  justly  be  called 
free-drinkers ;  for  many  times  such,  when  they  drink 
too  freely  of  strong  liquor,  think  and  speak  too  freely 
their  own  corrupt  notions  to  the  dishonor  of  God,  and 
to  the  scandal  of  religion  in  general. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  227 

In  this  month  I  went  to  the  Jerseys,  and  was  at 
three  large  meetings  in  company  with  Abigail  Bowles, 
in  which  our  said  friend  had  good  service,  to  the  com- 
fort of  Friends,  convincing  of  gainsayers,  and  con- 
firming the  weak,  and  the  people  were  glad  of  our 
visit. 

The  15th  day  of  this  month  I  was  at  Burlington, 
at  the  burial  of  my  good  friend  and  old  acquaintance, 
Abraham  Bickley,  at  whose  funeral  were  great  num- 
bers of  people,  he  being  well  beloved  of  his  neighbors. 
Christ's  raising  Lazarus  out  of  the  grave,  and  his 
tenderness  and  weeping  there,  were  spoken  of,  in 
order  to  stir  people  up  to  a  tender,  religious  exercise 
of  mind,  which  is  much  wanting  among  many  of  the 
professors  of  his  holy  name,  who  have  too  little  sense 
of  that  which  should  bring  true  tenderness  over  their 
minds,  being  more  in  earth  than  heaven ;  so  that  they 
are  dry  and  barren,  as  to  the  things  of  God.  The 
meeting  ended  to  satisfaction,  with  supplications  to 
the  Almighty. 

xi  few  days  after  I  was  at  our  General  Spring 
Meeting  in  Philadelphia,  which  was  large ;  where  our 
friends  Kobert  Jordan  and  Abigail  Bowles  had  good 
service. 

This  week  I  was  at  four  very  large  meetings  at 
Philadelphia,  Frankford,  and  Abington,  much  to  my 
satisfaction,  though  I  had  no  vocal  service  therein ; 
yet  my  heart  was  broken  into  tenderness  and  tears, 
under  several  weighty,  solid  testimonies,  that  were 
borne   by  living  ministers,  qualified   to  preach   the 


228  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

gospel  in  the  demonstration  of  the  Spirit,  and  with 
power. 

The  26th  of  the  First  month,  1726,  I  went  to  Ger- 
man town  meeting,  which  was  large,  and  I  was  opened 
therein  to  speak  of  the  vision  of  the  prophet  Ezekiel, 
of  the  holy  waters,  which  proceeded  from  under  the 
threshold  of  the  sanctuary,  which  the  angel  measuring, 
they  grew  deeper  and  deeper,  until  they  became  a 
river  to  swim  in.  Which  showeth  the  work  of  grace, 
conversion,  and  regeneration;  and  that  these  holy 
waters,  of  which  the  soul  must  drink  and  be  washed, 
and  baptized  in,  are  spiritual  and  supernatural,  and 
therefore  not  to  be  measured  by  the  spirit  and  will 
of  man,  in  his  natural  state,  according  to  the  prophet 
Isaiah.  Man,  before  he  can  swim  therein,  must  be 
stripped  of  all  his  self-righteousness  and  artificial 
religion,  though  as  splendid  and  beautiful  as  a  gallant 
ship,  or  galley  with  oars,  in  which  respect  it  is  agree- 
able to  the  state  of  men  swimming  in  elementary 
water,  where  the  most  skilful  have  sometimes  lost 
their  lives,  for  want  of  being  unclothed.  Those  who 
had  not  yet  attained  much  experience,  were  advised 
not  to  go  out  of  their  depth,  but  to  wait  in  patience 
and  humility,  to  enjoy  the  medicinal  virtue  of  the 
trees  growing  by  the  side  of  this  river,  whose  fruit  is 
for  meat  and  its  leaves  for  medicine.  The  people  of 
this  meeting  were  generally  Germans,  several  of 
whom  stayed  in  the  house  after  it  was  over,  and  were 
broken  into  tenderness,  in  a  sense  of  the  presence  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  229 

love  of  God  unto  us,  for  which  I  was  also  humbly- 
thankful  and  bowed  in  spirit. 

I  was  at  the  Third-day  weekly  meeting  in  Phila- 
delphia, which  was  but  small,  considering  the  large 
number  of  those  professing  to  be  of  our  Society  in 
this  city ;  those  present  were  closely  and  tenderly 
exhorted  to  be  zealous  for  good  works,  and  against 
bad  works;  not  respecting  the  person  of  any  man. 
The  abominations  committed  by  some  under  our  pro- 
fession in  this  city  and  province,  call  for  humiliation ; 
and  as  the  promise  of  God's  favor  was  to  those  who 
mourned  with  sighs  and  cries  for  the  abominations 
among  his  people  formerly,  so  now,  as  many  as  are 
under  the  same  concern,  may  hope  for  preservation 
and  salvation,  if  He  should  in  like  manner  visit  us,  as 
at  this  time  he  doth  some  of  our  neighbors;  there 
being  a  great  sickness  and  mortality  in  some  of  the 
adjacent  places. 

■  In  the  Second  month  I  visited  the  meetings  of 
Friends  at  Haverford,  Newtown,  Bad  nor,  and  Merion; 
which  meetings  consist  chiefly  of  ancient  Britons,  who 
are  a  religious,  industrious,  and  increasing  people ; 
among  whom  my  service  was,  as  they  expressed,  to 
our  mutual  satisfaction.  After  my  return  home,  I  went 
to  visit  Friends  at  the  falls  of  Delaware,  and  was  at  a 
large  meeting  in  their  new  meeting-house.  After  a 
satisfactory  meeting  at  Frankford,  on  the  Fifth  day 
of  the  same  week  I  went  with  Ennion  "Williams  to  his 
son's  marriage ;  next  day  he  and  several  other  Friends 
accompanied  me  to  Woodbury  creek,  and  had  a  good, 

20 


230  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

open  meeting,  and  that  night  went  to  James  Lord's, 
and  next  morning  towards  Salem,  and  lodged  at  Isaac 
Sharp's ;  where  I  was  informed  of  a  great  mortality 
at  Cohansey.  The  24th  of  the  Second  month  was 
the  General  Meeting  at  Salem,  which  was  a  large 
gathering  of  people  of  different  persuasions,  from 
many  parts  of  the  country,  where  the  doctrine  of  the 
gospel  was  preached  in  great  love  to  the  people,  which 
they  heard  with  solid  attention.  From  Salem  I  went 
to  Alloway's  creek  and  Cohansey,  and  had  meetings 
there.  I  was  informed  that  more  than  seventy  per- 
sons had  lately  died  here  of  a  malignant  distemper, 
though  it  seemed  to  abate,  none  dying  while  we  were 
there.  At  Cohansey  the  meeting  was  large  and  solid, 
though  but  few  of  our  Society  reside  there ;  and  they 
were  earnestly  admonished  to  a  proper  disposition  of 
mind,  to  fit  them  either  for  life  or  death,  and  remind- 
ed of  the  regard  of  the  Almighty  to  such  as  live  in 
his  fear,  who  will  have  peace  in  their  death,  and  their 
change  will  be  glorious,  when  they  are  taken  out  of 
this  life  ;  but  with  the  wicked  it  is  not  so. 

From  Cohansey  I  went  through  the  wilderness  over 
Maurice  river,  accompanied  by  James  Daniel,  through 
a  miry,  boggy  way,  in  which  we  saw  no  house  for 
about  forty  miles,  except  at  the  ferry;  and  that  night 
we  got  to  Richard  Townsend's,  at  Cape  May,  where 
we  were  kindly  received.  Next  day  we  had  a  meet- 
ing at  Rebecca  Garrison's,  and  the  day  after  a  pretty 
large  one  at  Richard  Townsend's,  and  then  went 
down  to  the  Cape,  and  had  a  meeting  at  John  Page's, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  231 

and  next  day  another  at  Aaron  Learning's ;  several 
expressed  their  satisfaction  with  those  meetings.  I 
lodged  two  nights  at  Jacob  Spicer's,  my  wife's 
brother. 

From  Cape  May  we  travelled  along  the  sea-coast 
to  Great  Egg  Harbor,  had  another  meeting  much 
larger  than  the  first,  at  Rebecca  Garrison's,  and  here 
I  was  much  concerned  to  promote  the  settlement  of 
a  monthly  meeting,  for  the  well  ordering  of  the  affairs 
of  our  Society. 

We  swam  our  horses  over  Egg  Harbor  river,  and 
went  over  ourselves  in  canoes,  and  afterwards  had  a 
meeting  at  Richard  Summers',  which  was  as  large  as 
could  be  expected,  considering  the  people  live  at  such 
a  distance  from  each  other. 

The  next  meeting  we  had  at  John  Scull's  ;  on  First 
day  we  had  a  large  one  at  Peter  White's ;  on  Second 
day  at  Japhet  Leeds' ;  and  then  we  went  five  miles 
through  a  marsh  to  Little  Egg  Harbor  river,  and  had 
a  meeting  in  their  meeting-house  on  the  Fourth  day 
of  the  week,  and  11th  day  of  the  month,  which  was 
larger  by  the  addition  of  the  owners,  masters,  and 
mariners  of  two  sloops  from  New  York,  who,  hearing 
of  the  meeting,  came  to  it.  Next  day  we  had  another 
meeting  at  the  same  place,  and  lodged  at  Jarvis  Faro's. 
After  these  two  meetings  I  left  Egg  Harbor,  accom- 
panied by  several  Friends,  and  travelled  about  forty 
miles  before  we  came  to  any  house.  In  the  evening 
we  reached  a  Friend's  house,  where  we  were  kindly 
entertained,  and  next  morning  got  to  Burlington,  and 


232  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

so  home,  where  I  found  all  well,  and  was  thankful 
therefor  to  the  Almighty.  In  this  journey  I  travelled 
about  three  hundred  miles,  had  twenty-one  meetings, 
and  was  from  home  about  three  weeks. 

In  the  Third  month  I  stayed  at  and  about  home, 
visiting  the  meetings  at  Philadelphia,  Germantown, 
Abington,  and  Frankford. 

In  the  Fourth  month  I  left  my  family,  and  went 
back  in  the  woods  as  far  as  Oley.  I  was  from  home 
nine  days,  travelled  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
miles,  and  had  six  meetings  at  Oley,  Perkiomen, 
and  divers  other  places,  chiefly  in  barns  and  open 
places,  there  being  large  companies  of  people,  and 
few  meeting-houses  yet  built  in  those  parts  of  the 
country.  In  this  journey  I  suffered  much  through 
the  heat.  The  first  meeting  was  at  the  iron  works 
settled  a  little  beyond  a  place  called  Mount  Misery. 
I  was  concerned  for  those  people,  having  heard  of 
their  rude  doings  before  I  left  my  habitation  ;  and 
although  some  were  rude,  others  behaved  themselves 
soberly,  and  expressed  their  thankfulness  for  that 
visitation,  as  I  do  for  the  opportunity  I  had  of  clear- 
ing myself  to  them.  On  my  return  homewards,  I 
crossed  Schuylkill,  and  went  to  Samuel  Nutt's  iron 
works,  where  I  had  a  large,  quiet,  solid  meeting; 
and  the  next  day  called  to  see  my  old  friend  David 
Meredith,  who  being  about  eighty-nine  years  of  age, 
I  thought  it  probable  I  might  not  have  another  oppor- 
tunity of  seeing.  He  met  me  with  gladness,  and  told 
me  it  was  their  meeting-day ;  so  I  stayed,  and  was 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  233 

much  comforted  and  tendered  by  the  power  of  Christ ; 
after  which  I  came  home  that  night. 

On  the  next  First  day  after  my  return  I  went  to 
Philadelphia,  and  then  to  a  Yearly  Meeting  in  Chester 
county,  held  at  Goshen ;  though  the  season  was  wet, 
this  was  a  large,  good  meeting ;  at  which  there  were 
three  young  men,  who  had  lately  been  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  whom  I  was  glad  to  hear  declare 
the  truth  in  the  power  and  simplicity  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ,  being  of  the  mind  of  Moses,  when  he  said, 
in  answer  to  Joshua,  "  Would  God  that  all  the  Lord's 
people  were  prophets,  and  that  the  Lord  would  put 
of  his  spirit  upon  them."  After  this  meeting  I  went 
to  Springfield,  and  the  next  day  returned  home. 

On  the  22d  of  the  Fourth  month  I  went  to  the 
marriage  of  John  Lee's  daughter,  at  Springfield,  in 
Chester  county.  I  was  concerned  to  speak  mostly  to 
the  young  people,  advising  them  to  seek  the  Lord  in 
that  great  affair  of  marriage,  that  they  be  careful  on 
whom  they  set  their  affections,  and  not  to  draw  out 
one  another's  minds,  if  they  did  not  intend  an  honor- 
able marriage  ;  reminding  them  of  the  ill  tendency 
of  courting  several  at  a  time,  or  suffering  several  to 
court  at  once,  and  that  they  be  chaste  and  true  in 
their  proceedings,  duly  regarding  the  advice  of  the 
apostle,  "  Be  not  unequally  yoked ; "  for  all  such  mar- 
riages are  unequal,  when  those  who  marry  are  of 
different  principles  of  religion.  The  meeting  ended 
with  tender  supplication  for  preservation  through 
whatever  exercises,  further  troubles  or  trials,  tempta- 

20* 


234  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

tions  or  afflictions,  we  might  meet  with  in  the  world, 
that  so  we  might  end  well  at  last,  and  live  forever  to 
praise  and  glorify  God  and  the  Lamb,  who,  through 
the  holy,  eternal  Spirit,  is  worthy  forever. 

On  the  receipt  of  the  last  letter  from  my  dear 
father,  which  I  some  time  since  mentioned,  I  was 
apprehensive  it  might  be  his  last,  which  it  proved  to 
be ;  for  the  next  letter  from  my  dear  brother  gave  me 
intelligence  of  his  death,  which  I  received  the  25th 
of  the  Fourth  month  this  year.  The  news  of  my  dear 
father's  decease  took  such  hold  of  my  mind,  though 
I  daily  expected  it,  that  for  some  time  I  was  hardly 
sociable.  Oh  !  how  have  I  been  sometimes  comforted 
in  his  loving  and  tender  epistles !  at  the  receipt  of 
which  I  have  cried  to  the  Lord,  that  if  it  pleased 
him,  I  might  have  a  double  portion  of  the  spirit 
which  he  gave  to  my  father.  But  now  I  must  never 
hear  more  from  him  in  this  world ;  yet  in  this  I  have 
some  inward  comfort,  that  I  hope  we  shall  meet  where 
we  shall  never  part.  Here  follows  a  part  of  my  affec- 
tionate brother's  account  of  my  father's  death  and 
burial. 

"Edmonton,  25th  of  the  First  month,  1726. 

"  Dear  Brother, —  This  comes  with  the  sorrowful 
account  of  our  dear  father's  decease,  who  departed 
this  life  the  7th  instant,  after  having  been  indisposed 
about  a  fortnight.  I  have  herewith  sent  a  particular 
account  of  some  remarkable  passages,  and  his  last 
expressions  in  his  sickness ;  that  part  relating  to  his 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  235 

convincement,  he  desired  should  be  committed  to 
writing,  which  I  have  done,  and  sent  it  to  thee. 

"  I  was  with  him  several  times  in  his  last  illness, 
and  most  of  the  last  two  days  of  his  life,  as  thou 
may  est  perceive  by  the  contents.  Our  worthy  father 
was  honorably  buried  on  the  11th  instant,  being  car- 
ried from  his  own  house  to  the  meeting-house  at 
Horsleydown,  accompanied  by  his  relations,  where 
was  a  large  meeting  of  as  many  people  as  the  meet- 
ing-house could  well  contain,  and  many  testimonies 
were  borne  to  the  innocent,  exemplary  life,  integrity, 
and  honest  zeal  of  our  dear  father,  so  concurrent  and 
unanimous,  that  I  have  hardly  known  any  such  occa- 
sion more  remarkable  :  he  was  accompanied  from 
thence  to  the  grave  very  solemnly,  and  there  in  like 
manner  interred,  where  a  further  testimony  was  given 
to  his  honest  life  and  conversation,  and  lively  zeal  for 
the  holy  truth,  whereof  he  made  profession. 

"  Dear  brother,  though  it  be  a  sorrowful  occasion 
of  writing,  yet  herein  we  may  be  comforted  in  consid- 
eration that  our  father  went  to  his  grave  in  peace  in 
a  good  old  age  :  he  had  his  understanding  and  memory 
to  the  last.  I  believe,  as  I  have  sometimes  said,  that 
he  embraced  death  as  joyfully  as  ever  he  did  any 
happy  accident  of  his  life.  I  remember  one  passage 
of  his  cheerful  resignation; — finding  him  fine  and 
cheery  when  I  came  to  see  him,  a  week  before  his 
decease,  and  he  showing  me  how  well  he  could  walk 
about  the  room,  and  would  have  gone  out  of  it,  though 
he  was  very  bad  the  day  before,  I  said,  '  Father,  I 


236  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

hope  thou  wilt  get  over  this  illness ;'  but  he  answered 
me  pretty  quick  and  loud,  '  No,  but  I  don't  though.' 
It  is  not  long  since  he  was  at  my  house,  and  was 
cheerful  and  well,  but  spoke  as  if  he  thought  it  would 
be  the  last  time.  My  wife  said,  '  Father,  thou  mayest 
live  some  years  ;  but  he  replied,  '  Is  it  not  better  for 
me  to  die,  and  go  to  Christ  ?  '  So,  dear  brother,  with 
dear  love  to  thee,  my  sister,  and  thy  dear  children 
and  our  relations,  I  conclude  with  earnest  desires  for 
thy  health  and  welfare, 

"  Thy  affectionate  brother, 

"George  Chalkley." 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  237 


CHAPTEB  VIII. 

1726-1727. 

Convincement  and  Last  Sickness  of  George  Chalkley  —  Testimony 
respecting  him  by  Thomas  Chalkley  —  Christians  may  not 
Swear —  Grievous  Declension  among  some  of  the  Youth  —  The 
Blessings  of  Temperance  —  Unusual  Mortality  —  Divine  Dis- 
pleasure with  the  People  —  Religious  Labor  in  Barbadoes  — 
Convincement  that  the  Use  of  the  Sword  is  Unchristian  —  In- 
struction to  a  Schoolmaster  —  Letter  to  a  Son-in-law  —  Con- 
tinued Losses. 

An  Account  of  my  Father's  Convincement,  and  of 
his  Last  Sickness  and  Dying  Words. 

My  father  was  born  of  religious  parents  at  Kemp- 
ton,  near  Hitching,  in  Hertfordshire,  the  1st  of.  the 
Ninth  month,  1642;  his  father's  name  was  Thomas 
Chalkley,  by  trade,  a  dealer  in  meal ;  by  profession,  of 
the  Church  of  England,  and  zealous  in  his  way,  as 
was  also  his  wife. 

They  had  four  sons  and  three  daughters,  John, 
George,  Thomas,  and  Eobert ;  Elizabeth,  Sarah,  and 
Mary.  My  father  being  the  third  son,  was  convinced 
very  young  at  a  meeting  by  Enfield-Chace-Side,  near 
Winchmore  hill,  through  the  powerful  ministry  of 
William   Brend,  who   was   an   eminent   minister  in 


238  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

the  Lord's  hand  in  that  day,  and  had  been  a  great 
sufferer  for  his  testimony  in  New  England.  He  was 
preaching,  as  I  heard  my  father  several  times  say, 
upon  the  words  of  the  preacher,  "  Rejoice,  0  young 
man,  in  thy  youth,  and  let  thy  heart  cheer  thee  in 
the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thy 
heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes ;  but  know  thou, 
that  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee  into 
judgment."  Upon  this  subject  he  spoke  so  home  to 
my  father's  state  and  condition,  that  he  was  convinced, 
and  two  others  of  his  companions  were  reached  and 
affected  with  the  testimony  of  Christ's  truth  and 
gospel.  My  father  and  two  young  men  had  been 
walking  in  the  fields,  having  religious  conversation 
together,  and  were  providentially  directed  to  the 
meeting,  by  observing  some  Friends  going  to  it,  whom 
they  followed  thither :  one  of  his  companions  was 
Samuel  Hodges,  who  lived  and  died  a  faithful  Friend, 
at  whose  house  in  succeeding  times  a  meeting  was 
settled,  and  is  there  continued,  and  a  meeting-house 
built  at  this  day  at  Mims  in  Hertfordshire. 

My  father  was  the  first  of  the  family  who  received 
the  testimony  of  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  after  which 
his  father  and  mother  were  convinced,  and  all  his 
brothers  and  sisters,  who  lived  and  died  honest 
Friends ;  except  one  who  died  young,  continuing  in 
the  Church  of  England  persuasion.  Soon  after  the 
convin cement  of  my  father  and  his  two  companions 
aforesaid,  they  met  with  a  trial  of  their  faith  and 
patience ;  for  being  taken  at  a  religious  meeting  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  239 

Friends,  they  were  all  three  committed  to  the  new 
prison  in  Whitechapel,  where  having  continued  pris- 
oners for  some  time,  the  magistrates  observing  their 
Christian  courage,  boldness,  and  innocency,  and  being 
touched  with  tenderness  towards  them,  considering 
their  youth,  discharged  them. 

My  father  about  the  twenty-fifth  year  of  his  age, 
married  my  mother,  a  virtuous  young  woman,  who 
was  the  widow  of  Nathaniel  Harding,  a  Friend  who 
died  under  the  sentence  of  banishment  for  his  pro- 
fession of  Christ;  the  above  account  I  had  from  my 
father's  own  mouth ;  what  follows  fell  within  my  own 
observation. 

My  dear  father  met  with  great  exercises  and  dis- 
appointments in  his  early  days;  he,  dealing  in  his 
father's  business,  sold  meal  to  some  who  broke  in  his 
debt,  which  brought  him  low  in  the  world,  in  which 
low  estate  he  was  an  eminent  example  of  patience, 
resignation,  and  industry,  laboring  with  his  hands 
for  the  support  of  his  family,  and  conscientiously 
answering  all  his  engagements;  so  that  it  may  be 
justly  said  of  him,  he  was  careful  that  he  might  owe 
nothing  to  any  man  but  love.  He  was  very  constant 
in  keeping  to  meetings,  being  a  good  example  therein, 
though  in  very  hot  times " of  persecution;  for  when 
Friends  were  sorely  and  severely  persecuted  on  ac- 
count of  keeping  their  religious  meetings,  and  the 
prisons  filled  with  them  through  the  nation,  and  their 
goods  taken  away,  and  much  spoil  and  havoc  made 
about  the  years  1680  to  1684,  my  father  constantly 


240  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

attended  meetings,  and  never  missed,  as  I  remember, 
when  well.  He  was  sometimes  concerned  to  speak  by 
way  of  exhortation  to  Friends  in  their  public  meet- 
ings, when  they  were  kept  out  of  their  meeting- 
houses by  the  then  powers,  to  stand  faithful  to  the 
truth,  and  testifying  of  the  solid  comfort  and  satis- 
faction those  had  who  truly  waited  on  the  Lord, 
which  the  faithful  enjoyed,  notwithstanding  their 
deep  and  many  sufferings  for  Christ's  sake  and  his 
gospel ;  and  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  preserve  him  by 
his  divine  providence,  that  he  did  not  suffer  imprison- 
ment, though  the  wicked  informers  were  very  busy 
in  that  time  of  severe  persecution.  I  may  further 
add,  that  when  my  father  was  about  sixty  years  of 
age,  he  had  a  concern  to  visit  Friends  in  the  north 
of  England,  and  some  other  parts  of  the  nation ;  and 
in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age  he  travelled  to 
Chester,  and  from  thence,  in  company  with  James 
Bates,  a  public  Friend  of  Virginia,  went  over  for 
Ireland ;  in  all  which  services  he  had  good  satisfac- 
tion, and  was  well  received  of  Friends :  divers  other 
journeys  and  travels  he  performed,  not  here  noted; 
but  this  journey  into  another  nation  at  seventy-five 
years  of  age,  shows  that  age  had  not  quenched  his 
love  and  zeal  for  his  Lord's  work  and  service. 

Our  father's  old  age  was  attended  with  very  great 
exercises :  about  his  seventy-seventh  year,  as  he  was 
assisting  his  men  in  the  dusk  of  the  evening,  he 
missed  his  footing,  fell  down  and  broke  his  leg;  and 
soon  after  his  leg  w\s  well,  he   met  with   another 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  241 

accident  by  a  fall,  which  disabled  him,  and  made  him 
lame  to  his  death,  never  recovering  the  hurt,  which 
was  after  this  manner  :  he  was  sitting  in  a  chair  by 
his  door,  on  a  plank,  which  not  being  set  fast,  it  fell, 
and  he,  to  save  himself  from  the  stroke  of  the  plank, 
fell  with  his  hip  on  the  stones,  and  got  hurt  exceed- 
ingly.    Notwithstanding  this,  he  was  remarkable  for 
his  activity ;  he  would  walk,  though  so  aged,  and  also 
lame,  as  far  as  the  work-house,  Devonshire  house,  and 
Bull  and  Mouth  meetings,  two  or  three  miles  from 
home.     The  last  bad  accident  that  befell  him  was 
about  three  weeks  before  his  death,  when,  being  walk- 
ing in  the  timber-yard,  a  single  plank,  which  stood 
against  a  pile,  fell  down,  and  striking  him  on  his  side, 
threw  him  down.     He  complained  not  much  of  the 
blow  till  about  a  week  after,  when  he  was  taken  with 
a  violent  pain  in  his  side,  on  the  place  where  he  re- 
ceived the  stroke,  and  when  his  cough  took  him,  with 
which  he  was  often  troubled,  the  pain  was  very  great. 
Through  the  means  used  for  his  relief,  he  received 
some  ease,  the  pain  of  his  side  abated,  and  the  cough 
went  off;   but  a  violent  flux  followed,  and  brought 
him  very  low,  so  that  it  was  thought  he  could  not 
continue  long;  but  he  revived.     He  continued  all  the 
time  of  his  illness  in  a  patient  and  resigned  frame  of 
mind ;  on  First  day,  in  the  afternoon,  he  took  his 
bed,  being  the  6th  of  the  First  month,  and  in  the 
evening,  after  the  afternoon  meeting,  which  was  the 
First  day  before  his  death,  several  Friends  came  to 

visit  him,  who  finding  him  very  weak,  after  a  little 
21 


242  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

stay  went  to  take  their  leave  of  him,  whom  he  de- 
sired to  sit  down,  and  after  some  time  of  silence,  he 
broke  forth  in  declaration  in  an  intelligible  and  lively 
manner,  to  this  effect,  saying,  "  We  have  no  continu- 
ing city  here,  but  seek  one  to  come,  which  hath  foun- 
dations, whose  builder  and  maker  is  God :   Friends, 
may  we  all  labor  to  be  prepared  for  our  last  and 
great  change,  that  when  this  earthly  tabernacle  shall 
be  dissolved,  we  may  have  an  habitation  with  the 
Lord,  a  building  not  made  with   hands,  eternal   in 
the  heavens.     And  that  it  might  be  thus,  the  Lord 
hath  showed  thee,  oh  !  man,  what  is  good,  viz. :  To 
do  justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk   humbly  with   thy 
God.     I  do  not  expect  but  that  this  will  be  the  last 
night  I  shall  have  in  this  world,  and  I  desire  these 
things  may  be  remembered  as  the  words  of  a  dying 
man ;   oh !    that  we   may   labor  to  be  clothed  upon 
with  our  house  that  is  from  heaven,  so  that  when  the 
finishing  hour  comes,  we  may  have  nothing  to  do  but 
to  die."     About  one  or  two  o'clock  the  next  morning, 
he  began  to  change,  and  desired  to  see  me ;  I  came 
to  him  and  found  him  very  sensible,  but  expected  his 
end  quickly  to  approach  ;  he  saying  he  was  waiting 
for  his  change.     About  the  fourth  hour  in  the  morn- 
ing he  prayed  fervently  after  this  manner :   "  Lord, 
now  lettest  thou  thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for  mine 
eyes  have  seen  thy  salvation,  which  thou  hast  pre- 
pared before  the  face  of  all  people.     Thou  hast  given 
thy  Son,  a  light  to  enlighten  the  gentiles,  and  to  be 
the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel;  and  now,  Lord,  be 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  243 

with  thy  people  and  servants,  and  preserve  my  near 
and  dear  relations,  and  keep  them  from  the  snares 
and  temptations  of  the  enemy,  that  in  thy  truth  they 
may  fear  thy  great  name." 

After  a  little  time  of  silence  he  desired  me  to 
remember  his  dear  love,  in  the  life  of  Christ  Jesus, 
to  my  dear  brother,  Thomas  Chalkley,  in  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  to  all  his  old  friends  and  acquaintance. 
After  some  time  he  spoke  cheerfully  out  aloud,  so 
that  all  in  the  room  might  hear  him,  "  I  shall  go  off 
about  five; "  his  man  said,  "  Master,  how  dost  know?  " 
To  which  he  answered,  "  I  do  not  know,  but  I  believe 
it."  About  noon,  the  apothecary,  one  of  his  neigh- 
bors, among  whom  he  was  well  beloved,  came  to  see 
him,  and  asked  him  how  he  was.  Father  answered, 
that  for  three  or  four  hours  in  the  night  he  thought 
he  should  have  gone.  Why,  said  he,  it  will  be  no 
surprise  to  you,  I  hope.  No,  no,  said  my  father  very 
cheerfully.  He  taking  leave  of  father,  said,  The  Lord 
be  with  you.  To  whom  he  answered,  And  with  thee 
also.  The  doctor  having  ordered  him  a  cordial  to 
drink,  he  drank  it  willingly,  and  then  said,  I  do  not 
think  to  drink  any  more  in  this  world ;  but  I  hope  I 
ahall  drink  plentifully  of  the  river  of  life.  Finding 
his  strength  fail,  there  being  a  cord  at  the  bed's  feet, 
he  raised  himself  up  thereby  as  long  as  he  had 
strength ;  when  last  lifted  up,  he  spoke  very  low 
and  faltering,  and  said,  now  I  am  going,  and  about 
an  hour  after,  laying  all  the  while  without  sigh  or 
groan,  departed  this  life,  as  in  a  slumber,  in  sweet 


244:  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

peace,  just  as.  the  clock  struck  five,  in  the  enjoyment 
of  that  legacy  which  our  Saviour  left  his  followers ; 
"  My  peace  I  leave  with  you,"  etc.,  leaving  us,  of  the 
succeeding  generation,  a  good  example  to  follow.  He 
died  like  a  lamb,  in  the  eighty-fourth  year  of  his  age, 
the  7th  day  of  the  First  month,  1725-26. 

George  Chalkley. 

To  which  account  I  shall  add  the  following  short 
testimony  concerning  my  dear  and  greatly  beloved 
father,  George  Chalkley,  viz. : 

I  have  a  great  deal  in  my  heart,  more  than  I  can 
write  concerning  my  dear  father's  life,  it  having  been 
a  remarkable  life  to  me  from  my  youth  up.  His 
early  care  of  me,  and  counsel  to  me,  when  I  was  too 
thoughtless  and  wild,  melts  me  into  tears  now  in  the 
remembrance  of  it;  and  my  tender  mother  was  a 
partner  with  him  in  the  same  exercise,  and  she  died 
in  like  peace.  The  last  words  I  heard  her  speak 
were,  I  long  to  be  dissolved.  And  as  to  my  tender 
father,  I  would  record  a  little  briefly  in  memory  of 
him,  that  he  was  a  true  and  faithful  servant  of  Christ, 
and  a  tender  and  affectionate  husband.  I  lived  at 
home  with  my  parents  about  twenty  years :  their  life 
was  a  life  of  peace  and  love,  and  they  were  an  excel- 
lent example  to  us  their  children.  Oh  !  may  we  follow 
them  therein  to  the  end ! 

He  had  a  fatherly  care  for  his  children,  in  tender 
prayers  for  us,  and  in  good  advice  to  us,  and  in  giving 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  245 

us  learning  according  to  his  ability,  and  teaching  us 
by  his  example,  as  well  as  precept,  industry,  humility, 
and  the  true  religion  of  our  blessed  Saviour,  endeavor- 
ing to  plant  it  in  us  betimes,  and  to  destroy  the  evil 
root  of  sin  in  us,  while  young. 

I  was  his  servant  as  well  as  his  son,  and  I  can  truly 
say  his  service  was  delightful,  and  his  company  pleas- 
ing and  profitable  to  me;  and  he  was  also  beloved 
much  by  his  other  servants.  He  was  universally 
beloved  by  his  neighbors,  and  I  do  not  remember  any 
difference  between  him  and  them,  in  the  many  years 
I  lived  with  him ;  but  all  was  peace  and  love. 

He  was  very  loving  to  his  relations,  and  true  to 
his  friends,  and  a  hearty  well-wisher  and  lover  of 
his  king  and  country.  Thomas  Chalkley. 

Our  General  Meeting  held  at  Frankford  the  30th 
of  Fourth  month,  was  large,  our  friend,  William 
Pigot,  from  London,  being  there,  in  the  course  of 
his  visit  to  Friends  in  America,  and  had  close  work 
and  good  service. 

In  the  Fifth  month,  1726,  I  visited  the  meetings 
of  Friends  at  Philadelphia,  Germantown,  Byberry, 
and  Frankford,  and  had  very  comfortable  satisfaction. 
My  testimony  was  sometimes  pretty  sharp  to  trans- 
gressors, and  therefore  some  of  them  hate  me,  as  the 
Jews  did  my  great  Master ;  because  I  was  concerned 
to  testify,  that  their  deeds  were  evil,  and  to  excite  my 
friends  to  manifest  a  Christian  zeal,  by  openly  denying 
ungodly  men  while  they  continue  in  their  ungodly 

21* 


246  THE   JOUENAL   OF 

works;  but  when  they  become  truly  penitent,  and 
reform  their  lives,  the  arms  of  Christ  and  his  church 
will  be  open  to  receive  them. 

Being  under  some  melancholy  thoughts,  because 
some  persons  for  whom  I  wished  well,  and  to  whom  I 
had  been  of  service,  were  so  envious  and  malicious  as 
to  tell  false  stories  of  me,  tending  to  defame  me  :  as  I 
was  riding  to  our  meeting,  it  opened  with  satisfaction 
to  my  mind,  the  more  my  enemies  hate  me,  the  more 
I  will  love,  if  that  can  be.  I  had  hearty  desires  to 
come  up  in  the  practice  of  this  resolution ;  and  I  then 
thought  I  should  come  up  with  them  all,  for  if  a  man 
loves  and  prays  for  his  enemies,  if  they  are  gained,  he 
is  instrumental  to  their  good,  and  so  hath  cause  of 
rejoicing ;  and  if  they  are  not  gained,  he  heaps  coals 
of  fire  upon  their  heads ;  so  that  every  true  Chris- 
tian, by  keeping  under  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  in 
the  practice  of  his  doctrine,  gets  the  better  of  his 
enemies. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Sixth  month,  I  was  at  the 
burial  of  Eobert  Fletcher,  a  worthy  man  and  one 
universally  beloved  by  all  sorts  of  people,  as  far  as 
ever  I  heard.  There  was  a  large  meeting  at  his 
funeral,  wherein  several  testimonies  suitable  to  the 
occasion  were  borne :  some  of  his  last  words  were 
mentioned,  which  were,  that  he  had  lived  according 
to  the  measure  of  grace  given  him.  The  doctrine  of 
the  resurrection  was  maintained  according  to  the 
Scripture,  and  the  people  were  exhorted  to  prepare 
for  their  final  change.     The  death  of  this  Friend  was 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  247 

a  loss  to  the  country,  to  our  Society,   and  to  his 
neighbors,  as  well  as  to  his  family  and  friends. 

After  meeting  I  travelled  towards  Uwchland,  had 
a  meeting  there  on  First  day;  on  Second  day,  one  at 
Lewis  Walker's,  and  on  Third  day  was  at  the  General 
Meeting  at  Haverford.  Friends  were  exhorted  to 
dwell  in  the  love  of  God,  one  towards  another  ;  for  if 
they  lost  their  love  they  would  lose  their  religion, 
their  peace,  and  their  God ;  for  "  God  is  love,  and 
those  that  dwell  in  God,  dwell  in  love." 

My  neighbor,  Daniel  Worthington,  accompanied 
me  in  this  rough  travel,  some  part  of  the  way  being 
hilly,  and  very  stony  and  bushy,  and  the  weather 
wet.  "We  had  four  meetings,  and  rode  about  four- 
score miles ;  and  though  I  had  travelled  much  in  this 
province,  I  had  never  been  at  some  of  those  places 
before.  A  few  nights  before  I  set  out,  I  had  a  plain 
prospect  of  them  in  a  dream,  as  I  saw  them  afterwards, 
which  I  thought  somewhat  remarkable. 

The  people  inhabiting  this  province  are  now  become 
numerous,  and  make  many  settlements  in  the  woods, 
more  than  I  have  observed  in  my  travels  in  any  other 
•of  the  British  plantations  ;  and  there  hath  long  been 
a  desire  in  my  mind  that  they  might  prosper  in  the 
work  of  true  and  thorough  reformation.  A  godly 
fear  and  concern  being  upon  me,  I  have  sometimes 
put  them  in  mind  of  the  state  of  this  land,  when  their 
fathers  first  came  and  settled  in  it;  and  cautioned 
them  against  growing  careless,  and  forgetting  the 
Lord,  lest  he  should  forsake  them,  and  turn  their  now 


248  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

"  fruitful  fields  into  a  barren  wilderness,"  as  this  was 
so  lately;  which  it  is  easy  with  him  to  do,  if  he 
pleases,  for  the  sins  of  the  people. 

After  my  return  home,  I  visited  Abington  Youths' 
Meeting,  and  the  meetings  at  Philadelphia  and  Ches- 
ter. At  Chester  I  was  concerned  to  direct  the  people 
to  that  power  in  themselves,  which  is  the  life  of 
religion,  and  exhorted  them  to  be  careful  not  to  rest 
in  the  best  forms  without  it ;  for  if  we  had  only  the 
form  of  godliness,  and  had  not  the  life  and  power  of 
it,  it  might  be  as  reasonable  for  people  to  turn  away 
from  us,  as  it  was  for  our  forefathers  to  turn  away 
from  other  societies. 

In  the  Seventh  month  I  was  at  our  Yearly  Meeting 
held  at  Burlington,  for  the  provinces  of  New  Jersey 
and  Pennsylvania,  which  was  a  very  large  meeting, 
there  being  Friends  from  New  England,  Rhode  Island, 
and  Europe. 

First-day  morning  I  went  to  Evesham,  to  the 
burial  of  our  serviceable  friend  Jervice  Stockdale ;  he 
being  in  good  esteem,  there  was  much  people.  The 
meeting  was  in  a  good,  tender  frame,  and  continued 
several  hours,  in  which  divers  testimonies  were  deliv- 
ered, in  order  to  stir  up  people  to  truth  and  right- 
eousness, and  godly  living,  that  they  might  die  well. 
I  lodged  the  night  before  at  Peter  Fearon's,  and  in 
the  morning  I  was  awakened  out  of  my  sleep,  as  it 
were  by  a  voice,  expressing  these  words  :  "  He  that 
liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die."  This  I 
took  to  be  the  voice  of  Christ ;  I  do  not  know  that 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  249 

it  was  vocal,  but  it  was  as  plain  as  if  it  were.  From 
these  expressions  I  had  to  observe  to  the  people,  the 
happy  state  and  privilege  of  those  who  live  and  be- 
lieve in  Christ,  and  that  such  must  not  live  in  sin. 

During  the  time  of  our  Yearly  Meeting,  some  rude 
people  came  up  the  river  in  a  small  sloop  provided 
by  them  for  that  purpose,  and  spent  their  time  in  drink- 
ing, carousing,  and  firing  of  guns,  to  the  grief  and 
concern  of  Friends,  who  were  religiously  discharging 
their  duty,  in  serving  and  worshipping  the  Almighty. 
It  is  observable,  that  one  of  these  disorderly  persons 
had  his  hand  shot  off  at  that  time,  and  that  the  chief 
promoters  and  actors  in  this  riotous  company  were 
soon  after  cut  off  by  death,  in  the  prime  of  their  days. 

After  the  General  Meeting  was  over,  which  ended 
well,  Friends,  in  the  love  of  God,  departed  in  peace 
for  their  several  habitations,  praising  and  glorifying 
God. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Eighth  month,  having  some 
business  at  Cape  May,  I  ferried  over  to  Gloucester, 
and  went  the  first  night  to  James  Lord's,  lodged 
there,  got  up  before  day,  it  being  First-day  morning, 
and  rode  near  thirty  miles  to  Salem,  where  we  had  a 
good  meeting,  and  so  went  to  Alloway's  creek,  Cohan- 
sey,  and  through  a  barren  wilderness  to  Cape  May, 
where  we.  had  one  meeting,  and  returned  home  by 
way  of  Egg  Harbor  ;  travelling  upwards  of  two  hun- 
dred miles.  At  Cape  May  I  was  concerned  to  write 
a  few  lines  concerning  swearing,  as  follows : 


250  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

"Christians  ought  not  to  swear  in  any  case,  for 
these  reasons  :  First,  because  Christ,  their  Lord,  for- 
bade it ;  un  to  whom  the  angels  in  heaven  must  be 
subject,  and  doubtless,  so  must  mortal  man,  to  whom 
he  gave  the  precept.  We  must  and  ought  to  be  sub- 
ject to  Christ,  who  is  Lord  of  lords,  and  King  of  kings, 
and  the  Judge  of  quick  and  the  dead :  to  him  all 
mortals  must  be  accountable  for  their  disobedience. 
He  says,  in  his  sermon  on  the  mount,  '  I  say  unto  you 
swear  not  at  all ; '  wherefore,  how  can  Christians,  or 
such  who  are  his  friends,  swear,  since  he  says  also, 
'  Ye  are  my  friends,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command 
you ; '  consequently,  those  who  disobey  his  commands 
must  be  his  enemies.  To  this  command  it  is  objected, 
that  Christ  only  spoke  against  common  or  profane 
swearing :  but  this  must  needs  be  a  great  mistake, 
because  Christ  says,  '  It  was  said  in  old  time,  thou 
shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord  thine  oaths,'  alluding  to 
the  law  of  Moses,  which  oaths  were  solemn  and  reli- 
gious ;  therefore  Christ  did  not  only  prohibit  vain 
and  profane  swearing,  but  all  swearing.  If  we  un- 
derstand the  word  all,  and  what  all  signifies,  then  all 
and  any  swearing  whatsoever  is  not  lawful  for  a 
Christian,  according  to  Christ's  law  and  command, 
which  is  positive  to  his  followers. 

"  Second ;  James,  the  holy  apostle  of  Christ,  our 
lawgiver  and  our  king,  says,  '  Above  all  things,  my 
brethren,  swear  not,  neither  by  heaven,  neither  by 
the  earth,  neither  by  any  other  oath.'  Christ  says, 
'  Swear  not  at  all ; '  and  James,  his  disciple  and  apostle, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  251 

says,  '  Swear  not  by  any  oath ; '  wherefore,  if  swearing 
on  the  Bible  be  an  oath,  or  is  swearing  at  all,  it  is 
contrary  to  the  express  doctrine  of  Christ  and  his 
apostle  James,  as  is  plain  from  the  above  cited  texts. 

"  Third  ;  the  primitive  Christians  did  not  swear  at 
all,  in  the  first  ages  of  Christianity.  Query,  whether 
our  modern  swearing  Christians  are  better  than  the 
primitive  ones,  who,  for  Christ  and  conscience  sake, 
could  not  swear  at  all,  even  before  a  magistrate, 
though  legally  called  ? 

"  Fourth ;  many  Christians  have  suffered  death, 
because  for  conscience  sake  they  could  not  swear, 
and  so  break  the  command  of  Christ  their  Lord ;  and 
do  not  our  modern  Christians  trample  upon  their 
testimony  and  sufferings?  some  of  whom  suffered 
death  for  not  swearing  before  the  heathen  magistrates, 
and  some  were  martyred  by  the  Papists ;  judge  then 
whether  the  persecuted  or  persecutors  were  in  the 
light. 

"  Fifth ;  many  of  our  worthy  Friends  and  fore- 
fathers, since  the  former,  have  suffered  to  death  in 
jails,  for  not  swearing,  when  required  by  persecuting 
Protestants,  because  for  Christ's  sake  and  sayings, 
as  above,  they  could  not  swear  at  all :  and  this  is  a 
testimony  which  our  Society  hath  constantly  borne 
ever  since  we  have  been  a  people,  for  the  reasons 
above,  and  more  also,  which,  if  there  were  occasion, 
might  be  given." 

The  23d  of  the  Eighth  month  I  was  at  the  morn- 


252  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ing  meeting  at  Philadelphia,  on  a  First  day  of  the 
week,  which  was  large,  and  I  was  concerned  therein 
to  exhort  Friends  to  labor  to  purge  and  cleanse  our 
Society  of  those  under  our  profession  who  live  in  open 
profaneness,  and  are  riotous  in  their  conversations. 
I  was  at  the  Bank  meeting  in  the  afternoon,  where 
we  had  a  comfortable  time  :  and  the  next  Sixth  day  of 
the  week,  I  was  at  our  Monthly  Meeting,  where  it  was 
unanimously  agreed,  in  consideration  of  some  late 
indecent  conduct  of  some  persons  pretending  to  be  of 
our  profession,  that  a  testimony  from  that  meeting 
should  go  forth  against  such  disorderly  doings  and 
unchristian  practices ;  and  that  all  such  persons,  who 
were  irregular  in  their  conversations,  be  disowned  to 
be  of  our  community,  until  they,  by  repentance, 
manifest  their  reformation ;  which  was  accordingly 
soon  after  published,  and  read  in  our  First-day 
morning  meeting,,  and  in  our  youths'  meeting. 

About  this  time  our  governor  issued  a  seasonable 
proclamation  against  drinking  to  excess,  gaming, 
swearing  profanely,  revelling,  night-walking,  and 
disturbing  the  peace,  and  other  immoralities ;  which 
afforded  some  satisfaction  to  sober  and  well  inclined 
Friends  and  others :  yet  there  remained  a  great  ex- 
ercise and  concern  upon  my  mind,  that  some  young 
people,  whose  parents  had  been  careful  in  training 
them  up,  were  grown  so  wicked,  that  by  their  extrav- 
agant conduct  they  not  only  disturbed  our  religious 
meetings,  but  likewise  became  obnoxious  to  the  peace- 
able government  we  live  under. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  253 

In  the  Ninth  month  I  was  at  meetings  at  Merion, 
Gerrnantown,  Fairhill,  Abington,  and  Philadelphia, 
in  which  were  several  marriages  solemnized  in  a  re- 
ligious manner.  In  the  Tenth  month  I  went  into  the 
county  of  Salem,  about  my  affairs  :  it  happened  to 
be  the  time  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  Salem  and 
Gloucester  counties ;  but  I  did  not  know  it,  until  I 
came  to  Salem,  where  Friends  were  glad  to  see  me, 
as  I  also  was  to  see  them ;  there  were  some  of  us 
whose  hearts  were  knit  together  as  Jonathan's  and 
David's,  the  love  of  God  being  much  shed  abroad  in 
our  hearts  at  that  meeting.  When  it  was  over,  and 
I  had  finished  my  business,  I  could  not  be  clear  in 
my  mind  without  having  some  meetings ;  and  though 
it  was  a  sickly  time,  and  people  died  pretty  much  in 
those  parts  where  we  were  going,  James  Lord  and  I, 
in  the  love  of  Christ,  visited  the  meetings  at  Allo- 
way's  creek,  Cohansey,  Pilesgrove,  Woodbury,  New- 
ton, and  Haddonfield,  having  meetings  every  day  in 
the  week,  except  the  last,  and  sometimes  riding  nearly 
twenty  miles  after  meeting,  the  days  being  at  the 
shortest,  and  the  weather  very  cold ;  but  the  Lord 
was  with  us,  which  made  amends  for  all  the  bodily 
hardships  we  met  with. 

I  got  home  well  but  weary ;  and  was  joyfully  re- 
ceived by  my  loving  spouse,  children,  and  servants ; 
and  I  was  truly  thankful  to  the  Most  High,  for  his 
presence  and  goodness  continued  to  me;  so  that, 
though  I  perceived  my  bodily  strength  to  decline 
apace,  my  sight,  hearing,  and  voice  failing  much,  I 
22 


254  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

have  occasion  to  believe,  at  times  I  was  helped  even 
beyond  nature  in  the  work  of  Christ,  my  dear  Lord 
and  Master. 

The  27th  of  the  Tenth  month,  I  heard  the  news  of 
the  death  of  my  dear  friend  John  Lee,  by  one  sent  to 
desire  my  company  at  his  burial ;  it  affected  me  with 
sorrow,  he  being  an  old  acquaintance  and  friend  of 
mine,  with  whom  I  had  travelled  many  miles.     He 
was  a  living,  serviceable  minister  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  and  instrumental  to  convince  divers  of  that 
principle  of  divine  light  and  truth  which  we  profess. 
I  could  not  be  at  his  burial,  because  of  my  indisposi- 
tion, and  the  unseasonableness  of  the  weather ;  yet  I 
think  it  my  duty  to  say  this  concerning  him:  that 
our  love  and  friendship  were  constant  and  entire  unto 
the  end,  having  been  acquainted   about   thirty-five 
years,  as  near  as  I  can  remember. 

In  the  Eleventh  month,  as  I  was  meditating  in  my 
closet,  on  the  duty  and  beauty  of  that  great  virtue  of 
temperance,  it  appeared  very  bright  to  the  view  of 
my  mind,  and  the  great  benefit  of  it  to  those  who 
loved  and  lived  in  it.  First,  as  to  religion,  it  tends 
to  keep  the  mind  in  an  even  temper,  which  is  a  help 
to  devotion  and  the  practice  of  religious  duties. 
Second,  it  is  a  great  preservative  to  health  and  a 
good  constitution.  Third,  it  is  a  blessing  to  poster- 
ity, in  many  considerations.  Whereas,  intemperance 
destroys  the  health,  stains  the  reputation,  hurts  pos- 
terity, in  respect  to  a  healthy  constitution  of  body 
and  estate,  ruins  many  families,  brings  to  poverty 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  255 

and  disgrace,  and,  what  is  yet  worst  of  all,  is  a  great 
let  to  religion  and  the  true  fear  of  God,  and  is  a  great 
scandal  to  any  who  make  profession  of  the  Christian 
religion. 

In  this  month  I  accompanied  William  Pigot,  who 
lately  arrived  from  London,  on  a  religious  visit  to 
the  meetings  of  Friends  in  America.  From  Philadel- 
phia we  went  to  my  house  at  Frankford,  and  from 
thence  to  North  Wales,  and  had  two  large  satisfac- 
tory meetings  on  the  First  day ;  next  day  we  were  at 
the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Abington,  Third  day  at 
Frankford,  and  Fourth  day  at  German  town.  Fifth 
day  I  went  to  Philadelphia  week-day  meeting,  and 
the  said  Friend  to  Abington  General  Meeting,  and  a 
few  days  after  we  met  again  at  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing of  ministers  and  elders  at  Philadelphia. 

The  8th  of  the  Twelfth  month  was  our  Youths' 
Meeting  at  Frankford ;  and  many  persons  dying  about 
this  time,  I  was  concerned  in  the  meeting  to  put 
Friends  in  mind  of  their  mortality ;  and  that  I  had 
told  Friends  lately,  at  their  meetings  at  Abington  and 
Philadelphia,  that  as  I  was  riding  from  my  house  to 
Philadelphia,  about  a  mile  from  the  city,  I  saw  in  the 
vision  of  life,  the  hand  of  the  Lord  stretched  over 
the  city  and  province,  with  a  rod  in  it,  in  order  to 
correct  the  inhabitants  for  their  sins  and  iniquities. 
This  sight  affected  my  mind  greatly,  and  although  I 
did  not  hear  any  vocal  voice,  nor  see  any  visible  hand, 
yet  it  was  as  plainly  revealed  to  me  as  though  I  had. 
I  understood  some  slighted  that  testimony,  yet  I  ob- 


256  THE    JOURNAL   OP 

served  to  them,  that  since  that  time,  mere  people 
were  taken  away  than  common,  as  they  now  might 
see;  and  indeed  that  inward  sight  and  sense  I  had 
of  the  displeasure  of  God,  for  the  sins  of  the  times, 
made  great  impression  on  my  mind;    and  that  no 
flesh  might  glory,  the  Lord  took,  from  the  evil  to 
come,  several  sober,  well-inclined  young  people,  as 
well   as  others  whose  lives   and  conversations  were 
evil  and  vicious ;  so  that  all  had  need  to  be  watchful 
and  turn  to  the  Lord,  lest  he  come  at  unawares,  and 
call  us  suddenly  out  of  the  world  unprepared.     In 
the  Twelfth  and  First  months  many  died,  of  all  ages 
and  professions;  and  .now  some,  who  would  hardly 
give  credit  to  what  I  had  delivered  in  several  meet- 
ings, began  to  see  the  fulfilling  of  it,  and  great  talk 
there  was  about  it :  and  many  solid  and  large  meet- 
ings we  had  with  the  people  at  divers  funerals  about 
this  time,  exhorting  them  not  to  slight  the  present 
visitation  of  the  Almighty,   but  to  prepare  for  eter- 
nity, to  meet  the  Judge  of  quick  and  dead,  who  stands 
at  the  door.     Among  many  that  were  taken  away  by 
death,  were  some  few  of  my  particular  friends ;  and 
first,  dear  Hannah  Hill,  who  was  a  bright  example  of 
piety  and  charity ;  she  was  like  a  nursing  mother  to 
me  in  my  afflictions,  and  her  husband  was  more  like 
a  brother  than  one  not  related,  whose  generous  enter- 
tainment I  may  not   forget.     Thomas  Griffith,  and 
Elizabeth  his  wife,  died  also  about  this  time.    Thomas 
was  a  serviceable  man,  and  well  esteemed  in  our  So- 
ciety ;  and  his  wife,  a  noted  woman  for  being  helpful 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  257 

to,  and  visiting  the  sick :  she  chose  the  house  of 
mourning,  rather  than  the  house  of  mirth.  These 
were  worthy  ancients,  who  made  peaceful  and  good 
ends,  and  to  whom  may  be  properly  applied  that 
remarkable  text  of  Scripture,  "  Mark  the  perfect 
man,  and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that 
man  is  peace." 

In  the  Second  month,  1727,  I  proceeded  on  a  voy- 
age to  Barbadoes,  on  account  of  business,  for  the 
support  of  my  family,  and  in  order  to  discharge  my 
just  debts,  which  were  occasioned  by  great  losses  by 
sea  and  land.  Many  of  my  friends  were  kind  to  me, 
and  sent  a  cargo  of  goods,  in  the  sloop  "John,"  Anthony 
Peel,  master,  consigned  to  me  for  sales  and  returns. 
When  the  vessel  was  loaded,  she  proceeded  down  the 
river,  and  I  went  by  land  to  Salem,  and  was  at  meet- 
ing there  on  First  day,  and  on  Third  day  went  on 
board  the  sloop  at  Elsenborough.  On  the  eighth  of 
the  Second  month,  we  took  in  our  boats  and  anchors, 
and  proceeded  to  sea.  From  Elsenborough  and  the 
Capes,  I  wrote  to  my  wife,  giving  her  an  account  how 
it  was  with  me,  and  encouraged  her  to  bear  my  ab- 
sence with  patience :  it  was  indeed  very  hard  for  us 
to  part. 

I  may  not  omit  taking  notice  of  an  exercise  which 
I  felt  one  night  as  I  lay  on  my  bed  in  Philadelphia, 
on  the  21st  of  the  First  month,  my  sleep  being  taken 
from  me,  which  I  recollected  and  wrote  down  on 
board  the  aforesaid  vessel,  and  was  in  this  manner : 

"  That  the  Lord  was  angry  with  the  people  of  Phi- 

22* 


258  THE   JOUKNAL    OF 

ladelpliia  and  Pennsylvania,  because  of  the  great  sina 
and  wickedness  which  were  committed  by  the  inhabi- 
tants in  public-houses  and  elsewhere.  That  the  Lord 
was  angry  with  the  magistrates  also,  because  they 
use  not  their  power  as  they  might  do,  in  order  to 
suppress  wickedness ;  and  do  not,  so  much  as  they 
ought,  put  the  laws  already  made  into  execution 
against  profaneness  and  immorality :  and  the  Lord 
is  angry  with  the  representatives  of  the  people  of  the 
land,  because  they  take  not  so  much  care  as  they 
ought  to  do  to  suppress  vice  and  wickedness,  and 
wicked  houses,  in  which  our  youth  are  grossly  cor- 
rupted :  and  also  the  Lord  is  angry  with  many  of  the 
better  sort  of  the  people,  because  they  seek  after  and 
love  the  things  of  this  world,  more  than  the  things 
of  his- kingdom.  It  was  shown  me  that  the  anger  of 
the  Most  High  would  still  be  against  us,  until  there 
was  a  greater  reformation  in  these  things."  It  is 
worthy  of  commendation,  that  our  governor,  Thomas 
Lloyd,  sometimes  in  the  evening,  before  he  went  to 
rest,  used  to  go  in  person  to  public-houses,  and  order 
the  people  he  found  there  to  their  own  houses,  till  at 
length  he  was  instrumental  to  promote  better  order, 
and  did,  in  a  great  measure,  suppress  vice  and  im- 
morality in  the  city. 

For  some  days  after  we  were  at  sea,  the  weather 
was  pleasant,  and  we  had  our  health,  for  which  my 
heart  was  truly  thankful.  I  exhorted  the  sailors 
against  swearing;  and  though  they  had  been  much 
used  to  it,  they  left  it  off,  so  that  it  was  rare  to  hear 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  259 

any  of  them  swear ;  for  which  reformation,  so  far,  I 
was  glad.  I  lent  and  gave  them  several  good  books, 
which  they  read,  and  showed  much  respect  to  me ; 
but  soon  after  the  wind  was  contrary  for  some  days, 
and  some  in  the  vessel  were  quarrelsome.  I  asked 
them  what  they  thought  of  the  saying  of  Christ,  "  If 
a  man  smite  thee  on  one  cheek,  turn  to  him  the  other 
also ; "  at  which  they  were  silent,  and  of  a  better  dis- 
position to  one  another  afterwards,  and  we  had  some 
reformation  both  from  fighting  and  swearing.  During 
this  voyage  I  was  not  so  sea-sick  as  I  formerly  had 
been,  which  I  took  as  a  peculiar  favor  from  heaven. 
About  the  latitude  of  twenty  degrees  north,  we  met 
with  calms  and  contrary  winds,  which  were  very  hard 
for  some  in  the  vessel  to  bear,  they  putting  themselves 
much  out  of  temper  about  it.  For  my  part,  I  had 
been  used  to  disappointments,  and  therefore  did  not 
so  much  mind  it.  I  spent  pretty  much  of  my  time 
in  reading  and  writing,  and  God  being  gracious,  it 
was,  in  the  main,  a  comfortable  time  to  me ;  and  I 
enjoyed  my  health  as  well  as  ever  I  did  at  sea  in  my 
life,  for  which  I  often  breathed  forth  inward  thanks 
to  the  Almighty.  On  the  fifth  of  the  Third  month 
we  arrived  at  Barbadoes,  and  I  was  lovingly  received 
by  our  friends,  but  came  to  a  very  low  market  for  my 
goods. 

I  visited  Friends'  meetings  on  the  island,  and  had 
several  open  meetings  at  Bridgetown,  and  Speight's- 
town,  and  likewise  at  Pumpkin-hill,  and  the  Spring. 
On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  so  called,  we  had  a  meeting 


260  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

at  Bridgetown,  in  which  was  shown  the  work  and 
operation  of  God's  spirit  on  the  old  world,  and  under 
the  law ;  and  the  everlasting  duration  and  operation 
of  the  same  Holy  Spirit  under  the  gospel  dispensa- 
tion, which  Christ  said  should  abide  forever.  At  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  at  Speight's-town,  were  Judge 
Allen,  and  the  captain  of  a  man-of-war  stationed 
there,  with  several  others  not  of  our  Society.  I  was 
much  drawn  forth  in  this  meeting  to  speak  of  the 
power  of  the  Father,  Son,  and  the  Spirit,  opening  to 
the  people  how  we  had  been  misrepresented  in  respect 
to  our  belief  in  the  Trinity,  or  the  holy  Three,  which 
bear  record  in  heaven,  the  Father,  Word,  and  Spirit, 
which  three  are  one ;  for  that  it  was  clear  and  plain 
we  are  more  orthodox  in  our  belief  in  the  Deity,  than 
those  who  do  not  believe  in  the  operation  of  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  as  also  that  none  could  be  true  Christians 
without  it.  It  was  queried,  how  could  they  be  clear 
in  their  belief  in  the  holy  Trinity,  or  the  Three  that 
bear  record  in  heaven,  who  believe  the  Holy  Spirit 
has  ceased  his  operations,  gifts,  or  immediate  revela- 
tions, and  if  ceased,  when,  and  where,  to  whom,  and 
how  ?  The  people  were  very  sober  and  attentive,  and 
stayed  some  time  after  the  meeting  was  done,  and 
divers  expressed  their  satisfaction  with  what  was 
said.  My  good  friend  Peter  Sharp,  of  Maryland, 
was  with  me  at  this  meeting,  on  whose  account  some 
of  the  people  came.  He  had  good  service  in  the 
meeting,  and  I  was  glad  of  his  company  in  this  island, 
where  we  joyfully  met  an i  parted  in  the  love  of  Christ. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  261 

At  this  meeting  we  had  each  of  us  a  certificate  from 
Friends,  signifying  their  unity  with  our  conversation 
and  services.  The  last  meeting  I  had  at  Barbadoes 
was  at  Speight's-town,  on  a  First  day.  It  was  a 
solid,  good  meeting,  in  which  I  took  my  leave  of 
Friends  there,  and  exhorted  them  to  believe  in  and 
hear  Christ,  he  being  a  teacher  that  could  not  be 
removed  from  them,  as  men  often  were ;  and  though 
they  were  but  few,  they  were  desired  to  meet  in 
Christ's  name ;  and  I  had  to  show  them  the  difference 
between  us  and  other  Christian  professors,  who  hold 
no  public  worship,  if  there  be  no  outward  teacher : 
whereas,  if  but  two  or  three  meet  in  the  name  of 
Christ,  he  has  promised  to  be  in  the  midst  of  them ; 
and  he  is  the  best  teacher  we  can  have. 

On  the  14th  of  the  Fourth  month  we  set  sail  from 
this  island,  and  for  the  most  part,  had  fair  weather  and 
fair  winds,  and  saw  several  ships,  but  spoke  with  none. 

I  was  one  evening  leaning  over  the  side  of  the 
vessel,  being  very  lonesome,  and  having  little  conver- 
sation with  any  in  the  vessel,  for  divers  reasons,  I 
turned  from  all  outward  things  to  the  Lord,  and  was 
glad  to  feel  his  presence  and  goodness,  which  was  a 
comfort  to  me  in  my  lonesome  state ;  and  as  my 
travels  and  concerns  had  called  and  caused  me  to  be 
much  on  the  seas,  it  also  pleased  my  good  and  gra- 
cious God,  to  support  me  thereon  many  times,  in  trials, 
temptations,  and  exercises ;  for  all  which,  I  bow  in 
awful  reverence  before  him,  and  return  thanksgiving 
and  praise  to  his  great  name. 


262  THE   JOURNAL   Of 

The  1st  of  the  Fifth  month,  about  noon,  we  came 
to  the  Capes  of  Delaware,  and  sailed  up  the  bay  ;  but 
in  a  little  time,  we  touched  the  ground  with  our  ves- 
sel several  times ;  there  being  little  wind,  we  got  no 
harm ;  but  two  hours  after,  or  thereabouts,  a  gust,  or 
storm  of  wind  took  us,  which,  if  it  had  met  with  us 
on  the  shoals  where  we  struck,  in  all  likelihood  we 
must  have  perished ;  which  I  took  to  be  a  remarkable 
deliverance.  Next  tide  we  got  to  Newcastle,  and  it 
being  First  day,  I  had  a  meeting  with  Friends  there, 
with  which  we  were  greatly  refreshed  in  the  Lord, 
and  in  one  another.  After  meeting  I  went  on  board 
the  sloop,  and  having  a  fair  wind,  we  sailed  for  Phila- 
delphia, where  we  arrived  about  the  eleventh  hour, 
lodged  that  night  at  Paul  Preston's,  and  next  day 
went  home  to  my  family  at  Frankford,  where  my 
wife,  children,  and  servants  received  me  with  much 
rejoicing. 

While  I  was  in  Barbadoes,  P.  M.,  who  accompanied 
me  from  Bridgetown  to  counsellor  Weeks',  told  me, 
that  when  I  was  in  the  island  before,  he  and  I  had 
some  discourse  concerning  the  use  of  the  sword ;  he, 
then  not  being  of  our  Society,  wore  a  sword,  but  now 
had  left  it  off,  and  his  business  also,  which  was  worth 
some  hundreds  a  year.  I  had  reminded  him  of 
Christ's  words,  that  "  Those  who  take  the  sword, 
shall  perish  with  the  sword."  "Resist  not  evil,  and 
if  a  man  smite  thee  on  one  cheek,  turn  the  other  also ; 
love  your  enemies,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you, 
pray  for  them  who  despitefully  use  you,  and  persecute 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  263 

you."  After  I  had  used  these  arguments,  he  asked 
me,  if  one  came  to  kill  me,  would  I  not  rather  kill 
than  be  killed  ?  I  told  him,  no ;  so  far  as  I  knew  my 
own  heart,  I  had  rather  be  killed  than  kill.  He  said 
that  was  strange,  and  desired  to  know  what  reason  I 
could  give  for  it.  I  told  him,  that  I  being  innocent,  if 
I  were  killed  in  my  body,  my  soul  might  be  happy ; 
but  if  I  killed  him,  he  dying  in  his  wickedness,  would 
consequently  be  unhappy;  and  if  I  were  killed,  he 
might  live  to  repent ;  but  if  I  killed  him,  he  would 
have  no  time  to  repent ;  so  that  if  he  killed  me,  I  should 
have  much  the  better,  both  in  respect  to  myself  and  to 
him.  This  discourse  had  made  so  much  impression, 
and  so  affected  him,  that  he  said  he  could  not  but 
often  remember  it.  And  when  we  parted  at  Bridge- 
town, we  embraced  each  other  in  open  arms  of  Chris- 
tian love,  far  from  that  which  would  hurt  or  destroy. 

After  I  had  been  at  home  some  time,.  I  visited  the 
meetings  at  Philadelphia,  Burlington,  and  German- 
town  ;  in  which  places  I  had  service  of  divers  kinds, 
and  was  lovingly  received  by  Friends  and  others. 

In  the  Fifth  month,  Joshua  Fielding  and  John 
Oxley  had  a  large  and  satisfactory  meeting  at  Frank- 
ford.  Joshua  came  from  London  on  a  religious  visit 
to  America,  and  having  been  on  divers  islands,  he 
landed  on  the  main  at  South  Carolina,  and  from 
thence  travelled  through  the  wilderness  four  hundred 
miles,  or  more,  where  no  public  Friend  had  ever  trav- 
elled before :  the  journey  was  perilous,  but  the  Lord 
was  with  him ;  who  may,  in  his  own  time,  make  way 


264  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

for  his  servants  in  those  desert  places.  John  Oxley 
came  on  the  same  account  from  Barbadoes,  and  had 
good  service  among  Friends  in  his  public  ministry. 

In  this  month  we  thinking  it  convenient  to  send 
our  little  children  to  school,  and  not  having  a  school- 
master of  our  Society  near  us,  concluded  to  put  our 
son  and  daughter  under  the  care  of  Nathaniel  Walton, 
to  whom  I  thought  it  my  duty  to  write  a  few  lines 
about  the  salutations  and  language  I  would  have 
them  trained  up  in,  which  were  on  this  wise : 

"Frankford,  30th  of  Fifth  month,  1727. 

"  Loving  Friend,  Nathaniel  Walton,  —  I  hope 
thou  wilt  excuse  the  freedom  which  I  take  with  thee, 
in  writing  this  on  account  of  my  children,  in  these 
particulars,  viz. :  Eespecting  the  compliment  of  the 
hat  and  courtesying,  the  practice  thereof  being  against 
my  professed  principle  :  First,  because  I  find  nothing 
like  it  in  the  Bible ;  but,  as  I  think,  the  contrary. 
Thou  knowest  the  passage  of  the  three  children  of 
God,  who  stood  covered  before  a  mighty  monarch  ; 
and  Mordecai,  who  could  not  bow  to  great  Haman  : 
Second,  I  believe  those  practices  derived  from  vain, 
proud  man.  And  as  to  language,  I  desire  my  children 
may  not  be  permitted  to  use  the  plural  language  to  a 
single  person  ;  but  I  pray  thee  to  learn  them  to  say 
thee,  and  thou,  and  thy,  and  to  speak  it  properly, 
many  using  it  improperly,  and  the  rather  I  desire  it, 
because  it  is  all  along  used  in  the  divine,  inspired, 
holy  writings.     I  suppose  thou  art  not  a  stranger  to 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  265 

its  rise,  being  from  the  grandeur  and  apostasy  of 
the  Eomish  Church ;  and  also,  that  you,  to  a  single 
person,  is  not  consonant  to  the  book  of  God,  or  the 
true  rules  of  grammar.  I  know  it  is  generally  ob- 
jected, that  the  end  of  speech  is  to  be  understood  ;  but 
it  is  understood  better  in  and  according  to  the  lan- 
guage of  God,  Christ,  and  the  Holy  Ghost,  in  the 
Bible,  and  the  language  of  kings,  and  all  people,  as 
we  read  it  in  the  holy  Scriptures ;  why  then  should 
we  be  ashamed  of  it,  or  shun  it,  and  bring  in  and  up- 
hold a  custom  contrary  to  it  ?  The  same  care  I  would 
have  thee  take  about  the  names  of  the  days  and 
months,  which  are  derived  from  the  names  of  the 
gods  of  the  heathen,  and  are  not  found  in  the  Bible. 
I  suppose  I  have  the  mind  of  all  those  of  our  Society 
in  the  above,  it  being  consonant  to  our  principle  and 
profession,  and  I  write  in  a  motion  of  divine  love  to  all. 

"As  to  the  school  learning  of  my  children,  I  leave 
it  to  thy  management,  not  questioning  thy  ability 
therein ;  and  if  they  want  correction,  spare  not  the  rod. 

"  I  hope  thou  wilt  observe  this  direction  in  teaching 
my  children,  in  which  thou  wilt  oblige  thy  assured 
friend,  Thomas  Chalkley." 

The  latter  end  of-  the  Fifth,  and  the  beginning  of 
the  Sixth  months,  the  weather  was  exceedingly  hot,  so 
that  several  people  died  suddenly  of  the  heat,  as  it 
was  supposed. 

The  beginning  of  the  Sixth  month,  I  was  at  the 

Youths'  Meeting  at  Abington,  which  was  large,  and 
23 


266  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

open  to  many ;  and  I  not  having  been  there  since  I 
came  from  sea,  divers  expressed  their  gladness  to  see 
me  ;  and  we  were  that  day  favored  with  some  showers, 
both  celestial  and  elementary,  to  our  comfort. 

In  the  same  month  I  was  also  at  the  Youths'  Meet- 
ing in  Philadelphia  ;  it  had  been  a  sickly  time,  but 
many  had  recovered.  That  passage  opened  on  my 
mind,  to  speak  of  in  the  meeting,  concerning  the 
lepers  whom  Christ  cleansed  and  healed,  being  ten  in 
number,  and  that  but  one  came  to  return  thanks  to 
God,  for  being  healed  and  restored  to  health.  Friends 
were  exhorted  to  prize  their  health,  and  to  show  their 
thankfulness  to  God  the  giver  of  it,  by  fearing  and 
serving  him,  and  taking  heed  to  Christ,  the  Word,  in 
their  hearts.  The  meeting  was  in  a  good,  solid  frame, 
and  we  praised  the  Lord  together,  and  gave  him 
thanks  for  his  merciful  visitation. 

About  this  time  I  heard  of  the  death  of  our  king, 
George  I.,  a  prince  whom  I  loved  and  honored ;  which 
news  was  very  sorrowful  to  me  on  divers  accounts ; 
his  love  and  kindness  to  our  Society  was  well  worthy 
of  our  grateful  remembrance. 

On  a  Third  day,  being  our  week-day  meeting  at 
Frankford,  Elizabeth  Whartnaby  and  Mary  Smith 
were  there ;  it  was  a  comfortable  opportunity :  they 
were  two  nights  at  my  house.  Elizabeth  was  pre- 
paring to  leave  this  land  for  Barbadoes  and  Europe, 
intending  a  religious  visit  to  Friends. 

The  20th  of  the  Sixth  month,  going  into  my  closet, 
I  there   met  with  a  paper  of  my  son-in-law,  Isaac 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  267 

Brown's,  and  finding  the  contents  were  religious,  as  I 
had  done  of  several  of  his  late  writings,  I  found  it  on 
my  mind  to  write  to  him  after  this  manner : 

"  My  dear  Son,  Isaac,  —  By  several  writings  of 
thine,  of  late,  I  perceive  that  a  good  thing  is  at  work 
in  thy  mind,  the  which  I  pray  the  all-wise  and  infi- 
nite Being  to  promote  in  thy  heart,  to  thy  eternal 
salvation,  and  his  glory.  I  now  begin  to  be  in  some 
hopes  that  my  prayers  and  tears  for  thee,  in  the 
Lord's  time,  may  be  answered ;  and  I  do  believe,  if 
thou  keepest  low  in  thy  mind,  that  God  will  more  and 
more  visit  thee.  The  advice  of  David  to  his  son 
Solomon,  when  he  also  gave  him  the  kingdom,  comes 
before  my  mind  to  give  thee :  '  My  son,  know  thou 
the  God  of  thy  father,  and  serve  him  with  a  perfect 
heart,  and  with  a  willing  mind  ;  for  the  Lord  search- 
eth  all  hearts,  and  understandeth  all  the  imaginations 
of  the  thoughts ;  if  thou  seek  him,  he  will  be  found 
of  thee :  but  if  thou  forsake  him,  he  will  cast  thee  off 
for  ever.'  Dear  Isaac,  this  was  counsel  from  one  of 
the  greatest  and  best  of  kings,  to  a  wise  young  prince 
who  petitioned  the  Almighty  for  divine  wisdom, 
before  riches,  or  honor,  or  long  life ;  which  petition  so 
pleased  God,  that  he  answered  his  request,  and  over 
and  above,  blessed  him  in  an  extraordinary  manner. 

"  I  perceive  thou  art  inclined  to  read  pretty  much; 
I  pray  thee,  that  thy  chief  study  in  books  may  be  the 
holy  Scriptures.  Let  all  other  books,  though  of  use, 
and  good  in  their  places,  be  subservient  to  them  ;  for 


268  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

their  authority,  of  all  other  writings,  to  the  true  be- 
lievers in  Christ,  is  most  divine ;  they  having  a  super- 
natural spring  and  divine  evidence  in  them  to 
virtuous  and  pious  readers.  Thou,  my  son,  wilt 
much  comfort  the  heart  of  thy  tender  mother,  and  of 
me  thy  loving  and  careful  father,  if  thou  followest 
and  perseverest  in  the  ways  of  virtue  and  truth  ; 
which,  that  thou  mayest,  is  the  prayer  of  thy  affec- 
tionate father-in-law,  Thomas  Chalkley." 

The  latter  end  of  the  Sixth  month  I  went  to  the 
General  Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  for  the  east 
part  of  New  Jersey,  and  to  the  Quarterly  and  Youths' 
Meeting  at  Burlington,  and  to  a  General  Meeting  at 
Stony-brook,  and  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  the 
county  of  Bucks.  John  Oxley,  of  Barbadoes,  and 
Joshua  Fielding,  of  London,  were  at  divers  of  those 
meetings  ;  wherein  we  had  open,  seasonable  opportu- 
nities ;  and  I  had  a  large,  affecting  account  from 
Joshua,  of  his  long  and  difficult  travels  in  the  service 
of  Truth  to  the  West  India  isles,  and  thence  to  South 
Carolina,  from  whence  he  came  through  the  wilder- 
ness, by  land,  through  North  Carolina,  Virginia,  etc., 
to  this  province. 

The  16th  of  the  Seventh  month  began  our  Yearly 
Meeting  at  Philadelphia,which  was  attended  with  the 
gracious  presence  of  God,  to  the  comfort  and  great 
satisfaction  of  many  souls.  In  this  meeting  divers 
young  men  and  young  women  appeared,  who  were 
lately  come  forth  in  the  ministry,  and  as  I  believe, 


THOMAS  CHALKLEY.  269 

Lad  received  a  measure  of  the  gift  of  Christ's  gospel ; 
which  was  cause  of  rejoicing  to  the  faithful  among  us, 
and  excited  our  thanksgiving  and  praises  to  the  Al- 
mighty Lord  of  heaven  and  earth. 

At  this  meeting  we  had  the  company  of  four  minis- 
ters from  Great  Britain,  and  one  from  Barbadoes,  and 
many  from  divers  other  parts,  it  being  a  very  large 
gathering  of  some  thousands  of  people,  as  was  believed, 
in  which  many  were  strengthened  in  their  faith  in 
Christ,  and  comforted  through  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  that  blessed  Comforter,  which  Christ  promised 
to  his  Church,  who  should  be  with  them  for  ever,  and 
guide  them  into  all  truth. 

Next  First  day  after  the  Yearly  Meeting,  I,  with 
several  of  my  neighbors,  went  over  Delaware  to  a 
meeting  up  Pensawken  creek  ;  in  which  the  wonderful 
love  of  God  was  declared,  in  sending  his  Son  upon 
earth,  who,  as  he  was  man,  died  for  man,  and  is  now 
by  his  spirit  present  with  all  those  that  truly  believe 
in  him ;  he  being  the  messenger  of  the  covenant  of 
God  to  mankind.  On  Second  day,  the  25th  of  the 
Seventh  month,  I  had  the  sorrowful  tidings  of  the 
death  of  my  beloved  friend  James  Lord,  who  on  his 
death-bed  desired  that  I  might  be  sent  for  to  his 
burial.  In  the  consideration  of  that  Christian  love 
which  was  between  us,  I  think  I  may  truly  note,  that 
we  were  always  glad  to  meet  each  other ;  therefore 
the  thoughts  of  this  so  sudden  change  and  final  part- 
ing, brought  for  the  present  a  sadness  and  heaviness 

over  my  mind ;  considering  his  station  in  that  neigh- 
23* 


270  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

borhood,  and  service  in  that  congregation  to  wliich 
he  did  belong;  for  therein  he  was  well  beloved,  and 
very  serviceable. 

And,  oh  !  the  loss  that  his  dear  wife  and  tender 
children  will  have  of  him,  really  affects  me  with  sor- 
row in  penning  these  notes ;  but  the  sorrow,  in  these 
things,  is  all  on  our  side ;  for  he,  without  doubt,  is  at 
rest  with  his  great  Master  in  heaven.  We  had  a 
larger  meeting  at  his  funeral  than  ever  was  known  to 
be  there  before,  as  an  ancient  Friend  told  me,  which 
was  solemn  and  serviceable  to  many. 

Some  time  after,  having  been  at  divers  meetings 
about  home,  John  Oxley  and  I,  in  company,  visited 
Friends  on  Long  Island.  At  Flushing  we  were  at 
the  burial  of  Jonathan  Dickinson  :  many  people  of 
divers  persuasions  were  at  the  meeting  on  that  occa- 
sion, and  were  very  sober  and  attentive.  I  was  at 
the  Yearly  Meeting  for  the  south  side  of  the  island, 
at  a  place  called  Sequetague,  which  meeting  was  large, 
many  Friends  and  others  coming  to  it  over  the  Plains. 
I  was  afterwards  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Shrews- 
bury, in  East  Jersey,  which  held  three  days,  and  was 
very  large,  and  the  last  day  the  people  were  very 
still.  Joshua  Fielding  was  at  this  meeting,  and  was 
therein  concerned  to  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  with 
good  authority,  and  matter  suitable  to  a  true  gospel 
minister ;  John  Oxley  was  ill  of  a  fever,  so  that  he 
could  not  be  there ;  but  there  were  brethren  from 
divers  parts,  and  the  power  and  presence  of  the  Most 
High  were  with  and  among  us ;  blessed  be  his  name. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  271 

I  was  also  at  Eahway  river,  where  was  a  solid, 
good  meeting.  From  thence  I  returned  home,  having 
been  abroad  about  a  month,  and  at  above  twenty 
meetings,  and  travelled  above  three  hundred  and 
fifty  miles. 

In  the  Eighth  month,  at  Frankford,  we  had  three 
burials  out  of  one  house,  at  one  time;  the  mother, 
daughter,  and  grand-daughter,  of  which  I  had  never 
known  the  like  instance  before.  On  this  occasion  we 
had  the  company  of  many  neighbors,  and  a  very 
solemn  meeting  at  our  meeting-house  at  Frankford. 

About  this  time  I  was  at  meetings  at  Philadelphia, 
Abington,  and  Burlington  :  we  had  an  evening  meeting 
at  Burlington,  with  Richard  Smith,  jr.,  who  had  been 
so  ill  that  he  could  not  get  out  to  meetings  for  some 
months :  it  was  such  a  satisfactory  meeting,  that  he 
and  I,  and  others  who  were  there,  will  not  easily 
forget  it,  our  hearts  being  broken  together. 

The  world  still  continued  to  frown  upon  me ;  but 
though  this  was  the  case,  yet  at  times  I  had  great 
consolation  in  Christ ;  and  in  the  midst  of  my  troubles, 
when  I  looked  back,  I  could  truly  say  that  I  had. not 
been  extravagant,  but  frugal ;  not  covetous,  but  char- 
itable; not  idle,  but  industrious;  not  willing  to  be 
such  an  infidel  as  not  to  take  care  for  my  family. 
This  was  some  solid  comfort  to  my  mind ;  and  I  bless 
the  Almighty,  that  I  always  preferred  his  work  and 
service  to  my  own,  and  therein  had  great  peace.  This 
I.  can  also  say,  if  it  were  the  last  I  should  say,  that 
I  never  wilfully,  or   knowingly,  wronged  any  man, 


272  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

woman,  or  child,  since  I  came  to  years  of  discretion; 
and  yet  I  have  nothing  to  boast  of;  it  is  the  Lord's 
grace  and  mercy  which  saveth  us. 

Having  occasion  to  make  another  voyage  to  Bar- 
badoes,  I  wrote  to  the  teacher  of  my  children  as 
followeth : 

"  Frankford,  10th  of  Tenth  month,  1727. 

"  Loving  Friend,  —  Being  about  to  embark  for 
Barbadoes,  I  leave  the  charge  of  my  little  children  to 
thy  care,  not  doubting  thy  management  of  them,  by 
their  growing  in  their  learning.  Please  to  instruct 
them  to  sobriety  and  the  fear  of  God,  and  faith  in 
Christ ;  and  if  I  should  never  see  them  nor  thee  any 
more,  our  lives  being  uncertain  in  this  World,  pray 
let  them  know  that  it  was  their  father's  will  and  de- 
sire that  they  should  mind  their  learning,  and  above 
all  things,  mind  the  fear  of  the  Most  High.  When 
my  little  daughter  hath  read  her  testament  through, 
I  would  have  her  go  to  writing ;  and  George  the  same, 
on  the  same  terms.  Please  to  learn  them  the  use  of 
chapter  and  verse,  that  if  any  ask  them  where  they 
are.  learning,  they  may  tell.  And,  kind  friend,  inas- 
much as  I  perceive  thou  hast  followed  my  former 
directions,  I  look  on  myself  obliged  to  thee  ;  therefore 
am  so  much  the  more  free  to  impart  my  mind  to  thee 
now  on  my  departure ;  which,  with  real  love,  is  from 
thy  loving  friend,  Thomas  Chalkley." 

"  P.  S.  Although  my  care  is  great  for  my  children's 
learning  their  books,  yet  it  is  much  more  so  as  to 
their  learning  true  piety  and  virtue." 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  273 


CHAPTER  IX. 

1727-1730. 

Repeated  Voyages  to  the  West  Indies  — Religious  Labors  there  and 
at  Home  —  Ministerial  Labor  in  Philadelphia — Narrow  Escape 
from  Death  —  Care  to  banish  Swearing  and  Drunkenness  from 
his  Ship — Condemnation  of  Dancing  —  Concern  respecting  the 
Youth  —  Loud  Call  to  Consistency  of  Conduct  —  Stormy  Voyage 
—  Services  about  Home  —  Terrible  Hurricane  in  Barbadoes  — 
Providential  Deliverances. 

On  the  25th  of  the  Tenth  month  we  set  sail  from 
Philadelphia  in  the  sloop  "  Dove,"  Oswald  Peel,  master; 
having  taken  a  solemn  farewell  of  my  dear  wife,  chil- 
dren, and  friends,  in  order  for  the  support  of  my 
family,  and  answering  my  just  debts,  which  I  had 
contracted.  On  the  27th  day  of  the  month,  in  the 
evening,  we  took  in  our  boat  and  put  to  sea ;  had 
some  rough  weather  in  our  passage,  but  lived  com- 
fortably ;  we  being  all  loving  and  obliging  one  to 
another.  On  the  15th  of  the  Eleventh  month,  we 
safely  arrived  at  Speight's-town,  in  Barbadoes ;  and 
the  18th,  between  the  hours  of  five  and  six  in  the 
morning,  we  felt  the  greatest  earthquake  that  I  had 
ever  felt;  having  been  sensible  of  three,  one  at  Lon- 
don, one  at  Jamaica,  and  one  at  Frankford,  in  Penn- 
sylvania.    I  was  thankful  in  my  heart  to  the  Lord 


274  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

for  my  safe  arrival,  and  that  we  were  all  preserved 
safe  in  our  stormy  passage,  and  deeply-loaded  vessel ; 
one  vessel  being  lost  that  came  out  a  little  time  before 
us;  and  another,  which  came  from  our  port  to  this 
island  a  few  days  sooner  than  we,  lost  three  men  by 
the  violence  of  the  storm,  and  received  much  damage 
otherwise;  one  of  them  being  a  neighbor  of  mine, 
with  whom  I  was  well  acquainted,  it  affected  my  mind 
very  much.  I  visited  Friends'  meetings  in  Barbadoes, 
and  some  divers  times  over ;  and  had  occasion  in  some 
meetings  to  mention  the  earthquake,  which  I  told 
them  I  did  believe  was  a  visitation  from  the  Almighty 
in  order  to  put  people  in  mind  of  mortality,  and  to 
reform  them  from  the  evil  of  their  ways,  and  call 
them  to  repentance. 

While  I  was  in  Barbadoes,  Francis  Gamble  died, 
whom  I  went  to  visit  several  times  in  his  sickness :  at 
his  funeral  was  a  large  gathering  of  his  neighbors 
and  others ;  and  divers,  not  of  our  Society,  expressed 
their  satisfaction  with  the  meeting.  The  people  in 
and  about  Speight's-town,  in  Barbadoes,  were  very 
loving  and  kind  to  me,  more  than  I  ever  had  observed 
before ;  even  some  vile,  profane  men,  whom  I  could 
not  forbear  to  reprove  for  their  swearing,  and  taking 
the  sacred  name  in  vain,  yet  they  showed  respect, 
notwithstanding  I  reproved  them  sharply.  Who  can 
take  the  sacred  name  of  God  into  their  mouths  in 
vain,  and  be  guiltless  ?  or  who  can  hear  it,  and  for- 
bear reproving  it,  without  being  remiss  in  their  duty  ? 
This  great  evil  is  too  frequently  practised  in  this  rich 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  275 

(poor)  island  of  Barbadoes  ;  rich  in  earthly,  but  poor 
in  heavenly  treasure,  which  caused  me  many  times  to 
mourn  in  secret  before  the  Almighty,  praying  him 
for  the  reformation  of  the  people,  for  Christ's  sake, 
and  for  the  glory  of  his  own  eternal  name. 

The  27th  of  the  First  month,  1728,  having  done 
my  business  in  Barbadoes,  and  seen  Friends  gener- 
ally, an  opportunity  offered  for  my  return  home,  in 
the  brigantine  "  Sarah  and  Mary,"  Samuel  Gallop, 
master,  bound  for  Burlington,  in  company  with  Wil- 
liam Dury  and  "William  Callender,  both  of  Barbadoes. 
Our  master  was  exceedingly  kind  to  us  in  the  voyage. 
The  wind  hanging  northerly,  we  could  not  go  to 
windward,  but  drove  to  leeward,  and  sailed  by  the 
isles  of  Lucia,  Martinico,  Dominica,  Guadaloupe,  An- 
tigua, Montserrat,  Bodondo,  Nevis,  Christopher's, 
Eustatius,  Saba,  Martin's,  Anguilla,  Bartholomew's, 
Sombrero,  and  four  other  small  islands,  which  are 
called  the  Saints.  It  was  very  pleasant  sailing  by 
these  islands,  only  some  of  them  were  so  exceedingly 
high,  that  in  some  places  we  were  becalmed,  and  the 
clouds  appeared  below  the  tops  of  the  mountains. 
At  Christopher's,  which  is  counted  the  highest  of 
them,  there  being  a  small  river  of  good  fresh  water, 
we  sent  our  boat  on  shore  for  some,  having  none  very 
good  on  board :  we  lay  off  and  on  about  two  hours, 
but  did  not  come  to.  I  was  thankful  for  this  water, 
it  being  my  constant  drink ;  it  was  also  very  service- 
able to  the  people  on  board.  After  we  left  the  isle 
of  Sombrero,  we  saw  a  sail,  which  we  thought  stood 


276  THE   JOUKNAL    OP 

after  us,  and  hearing  at  Christopher's  that  several 
Spanish  privateers  were  on  that  coast,  our  master, 
and  some  others  on  board,  were  a  little  surprised  ; 
but  we  soon  left  her  out  of  sight,  and  we  afterwards 
went  pleasantly  on  our  way,  till  we  came  to  the  lati- 
tude of  Bermuda,  where  the  winds  blew  fresh,  and 
much  against  us ;  and  this  winter  having  been  very 
hard,  we  felt  the  sharp  blasts  of  the  latter  end  of  it. 
We  had  a  passage  of  about  thirty  days,  and  came 
very  pleasantly  up  the  bay  and  river ;  and  it  pleased 
God  that  I  got  home  once  more  to  my  beloved  wife 
and  children,  and  was  joyfully  received  by  all  my 
family,  whom  I  found  in  a  good  degree  of  health ;  for 
which  I  did,  as  I  had  occasion  to  do,  bless  and  praise 
the  great  name  of  the  Most  High,  who  is  worthy 
forever. 

After  I  came  home  I  was  at  many  meetings  in 
Pennsylvania  and  Jersey,  viz. :  at  Philadelphia,  Bur- 
lington, Bristol,  Byberry,  Frankford,  Germantown, 
New  Hanover,  Crosswicks,  etc.,  in  all  which  meetings 
I  had  some  service  to  Friends'  satisfaction,  and  was 
comforted  with  the  goodness  of  God  in  the  midst  of 
my  afflictions.  My  business  lying  much  at  Burling- 
ton, I  spent  pretty  much  of  my  time  there  for  several 
weeks;. where  my  friends  manifested  a  tender  and 
hearty  respect  towards  me,  and  sympathized  with  me 
in  my  troubles  and  travels ;  and  there  I  prepared  for 
another  voyage;  for  I  was  fully  resolved,  through 
divine  assistance,  to  pay  all  my  just  debts,  which  I 
contracted,  and  lay  on  me,  through  many  losses,  or 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  277 

else  to  die  in  the  pursuit  of  it;  in  which  resolve  I 
had  inward  peace  and  satisfaction;  though  such  labor, 
travel,  and  separation  from  my  family,  was  a  great 
cross  to  nature. 

On  the  14th  of  the  Fifth  month  we  went  on  board 
the  brigantine  "  Sarah  and  Mary,"  Samuel  Gallop, 
master,  for  Barbadoes ;  and  on  the  16th  we  sailed 
down  the  bay  and  put  to  sea,  and  I  wrote  a  loving, 
tender  letter  to  my  wife  and  family  >  and  another  to 
my  friends  at  Burlington.  "We  had  fair  winds  for 
about  two  weeks,  after  which  they  were  contrary  for 
several  days,  during  which  two  of  our  men  had  a 
fever,  and  our  vessel  proved  leaky,  though  tight  in 
'smooth  water,  which  was  some '  concern  to  us,  and 
obliged  us  to  pump  every  half  hour;  but  the  leak 
being  much  the  same  while  at  sea,  we  were  the  more 
easy  about  it :  I  took  care  of  those  two  people  that 
were  sick,  who  soon  recovered.  The  3d  and  4th 
days  of  the  Sixth  month  it  was  very  windy,  with 
lightning,  thunder,  and  rain  ;  in  which  rough  weather 
one  of  our  best  sailors  put  his  shoulder  out  of  joint, 
and  they  brought  him  to  me  to  see  if  I  could  do  him 
any  service.  I  was  not  forward  to  meddle ;  but  the 
man  and  the  people  believing  if  I  would  undertake 
for  him,  I  might  help  him;  I  told  them  that,  though 
I  did  not  understand  bone-setting,  I  would  instruct 
them  the  best  I  could;  then  I  ordered  him  to  sit 
down  upon  the  deck,  and  to  be  stripped  to  the  waist, 
and  got  a  round  piece  of  wood  as  thick  as  his  arm, 
and  wrapped  a  piece  of  cloth  about  it,  that  it  might 

24 


278  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

not  bruise  his  flesh,  and  put  it  under  his  arm,  and 
ordered  two  men,  one  at  each  end  of  it,  to  lift  up 
strongly,  and  a  third  man  to  stretch  his  arm  out,  and 
keep  it  down  withal;  which  being  done,  the  bone 
went  into  its  place  ;  for  which  I  was  thankful  in  my 
heart  to  the  Almighty.  About  the  10th  of  the  Sixth 
month  we  safely  arrived  at  Speight's-town,  in  Bar- 
badoes,  being  the  First  day  of  the  week.  From 
whence  I  had  an  opportunity,  by  Alexander  Seaton, 
master  of  a  vessel  bound  to  Pennsylvania,  to  send  an 
account  of  our  safe  arrival. 

I  had  many  meetings  in  the  island,  and  made  sev- 
eral visits  to  sick  persons,  one  of  which  was  particu- 
larly to  the  satisfaction  of  the  person  visited  and  his 
relations :  he  died,  and  was  buried  at  Hethcott's  bay, 
and  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  our  meeting-house, 
where  were  many  people,  and  it  was  a  good,  season- 
able opportunity ;  in  which  I  had  occasion  to  remind 
them  of  their  mortality,  and  press  them  to  a  holy 
life,  the  way  to  a  happy  immortality.  I  had  divers 
meetings  at  Bridgetown,  Speight's-town,  and  the 
Spring  ;  where  the  testimony  of  Christ's  gospel  was 
well  received.  After  a  stay  of  three  weeks,  I  left 
Barbadoes  on  the  1st  of  the  Seventh  month,  and  took 
my  passage  in  the  "Amity,"  Charles  Hargrave,  mas- 
ter, who  was  very  friendly  to  me  in  my  passage,  as 
were  all  on  board.  We  arrived  at  our  port  without 
casting  anchor  in  all  our  voyage,  and  laid  the  vessel 
to  the  wharf  at  Philadelphia;  and  on  my  landing,  I 
immediately  went  into  the  meeting  of  ministers  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  279 

elders,  it  being  just  meeting- time,  where  we  were 
much  comforted  together  in  Christ;  after  which  I 
went  home,  being  lovingly  received  by  my  wife  and 
family,  having  been  from  home  about  ten  weeks. 

After  I  came  home  from  this  voyage,  I  visited  the 
meetings  of  Friends  at  Philadelphia,  Frankford,  Grer- 
mantown,  the  Falls  of  Delaware,  Burlington,  New 
Hanover,  Mount  Holly,  Fairhill,  etc. 

The  2d  of  the  Ninth  month  I  was  at  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  at  Philadelphia, 
where  I  met  with  Joseph  Taylor,  a  Friend  who  had 
visited  our  meetings  pretty  generally  on  the  continent 
of  America,  in  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  and  was 
now  on  his  return  homewards;  with  whose  visit 
Friends  had  good  unity,  and  certified  the  same  to 
our  brethren  of  the  meeting  where  he  lived  in  Great 
Britain. 

After  this  I  was  at  divers  meetings  in. Pennsylvania 
and  Jersey ;  and  the  latter  end  of  the  Ninth  month, 
Sarah,  the  wife  of  Jeremiah  Elfreth,  died  very  sud- 
denly ;  having  been  the  day  before  walking  in  her 
garden  :  she  was  a  sober  young  woman,  and  her  death 
was  much  lamented.  Her  burial  occasioned  my  stay 
at  Philadelphia,  which  I  had  shunned,  because  a  con- 
cern had  been  on  me  for  some  time,  to  declare  to  the 
people  of  that  city,  that  the  Lord  was  angry  with  the 
legislators  of  Pennsylvania,  because  they  were  not  so 
much  concerned  to  promote  religion  and  piety,  as 
they  ought,  and  to  make  such  laws  as  might  prevent" 
the  excessive  increase  of  public-houses,  which  often 


280  THE   JOUKNAL    OF 

prove  seminaries  of  Satan;  but  strove  to  promote 
parties  more  than  religion :  and  that  the  Lord  was 
angry  with  the  magistrates,  because  they  did  not  so 
much  as  they  might,  and  ought,  to  put  those  good 
and  wholesome  laws  in  execution,  which  were  already 
made,  against  vice  and  immorality ;  and  that  the  Lord 
was  angry  with  some  of  the  better  sort  of  people, 
because  they  seek  and  mind  the  things  of  this  world, 
more  than  the  things  of  God  and  his  kingdom.  But 
I  was  helped  to  clear  myself  in  the  morning  meeting 
to  the  satisfaction  of  many  of  the  honest-hearted,  and 
unburden  my  mind  of  a  great  exercise  that  I  had 
long  laid  under.  f 

In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  the 
Bank  meeting-house,  occasioned  by  the  aforesaid 
burial ;  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  was  declared  in 
that  meeting,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  our  Saviour, 
Jesus  Christ,  the  great  author  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion, and  also  of  the  eminent  apostle,  Paul;  and  the 
old  and  false  calumny,  that  our  Society  denied  the 
resurrection  of  the  dead,  was  publicly  denied  and 
refuted.  The  people  were  exhorted  to  live  well,  that 
they  might  die  well ;  and  then  they  need  not  doubt, 
but  that  they  would  rise  well  at  the  resurrection  in 
the  last  day.  The  meeting  concluded  with  praise  to 
the  Almighty  for  all  his  mercies,  and  prayer  to  him 
that  he  would  sanctify  that  day's  service  to  the 
people. 

In  the  Tenth  month  I  prepared  for  another  voyage 
to  the  island  of  Barbadoes,  and  had  the  ship  "  Bristol 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  281 

Hope"  consigned  to  me,  but  the  winter  setting  in 
sooner  than  common,  caused  our  stay  much  longer 
than  we  expected,  whereby  I  had  the  opportunity  to 
visit  divers  meetings,  as  Burlington,  the  Falls  of 
Delaware,  Neshaminy,  Wright's  town,  and  Philadel- 
phia. In  this  city"  a  concern  was  on  my  mind  to 
declare  to  the  people,  that  the  Almighty  had  showed 
me,  that  he  had  often  visited  those  in  Philadelphia 
and  Pennsylvania  with  his  own  hand,  and  with  his 
rod ;  but  if  that  did  not  work  the  designed  end  for 
which  he  visited  them,  of  which  they  were  told  also 
before  it  came  to  pass,  he  then  would  chastise  them 
with  the  rod  of  man,  and  this  was  as  plainly  spoken 
to  me  in  my  own  habitation,  as  if  it  had  been  the 
voice  of  man,  though  it  was  not  vocal. 

The  12th  of  the  Eleventh  month,  being  First  day, 
I  was  at  Horsham  meeting,  and  had  a  tender,  bowing 
time  therein ;  and  in  my  way  home  visited  some  Friends 
who  were  sick,  it  being  a  time  of  general  visitation 
in  those  parts ;  and  the  next  Seventh  day  I  was  at 
the  meeting  of  ministers  and  elders  at  Philadelphia, 
where  we  had  a  good  meeting.  Here  I  was  earnestly 
desired  to  be  at  the  funeral  of  Edmond  Orpwood,  the 
eldest  Friend  belonging  to  Frankford  meeting;  but 
was  in  a  strait,  this  Friend  being  my  neighbor,  and  I 
had  before  engaged  to  be  at  the  burial  of  one  with 
whom  I  had  been  acquainted  nearly  forty  years.  I 
did  my  endeavor  to  be  at  both,  being  each  of  them 
buried  in  the  afternoon,  and  five  miles  distant;  the 
days  being  short  also,  divers  told  me  it  was  imprac- 
24* 


282  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

ticable.  I  told  them  they  might  be  mistaken,  as  they 
were ;  for  though  we  had  a  large  meeting,  and  the 
company  of  Rowland  Wilson,  from  Britain,  who  had 
large  and  good  service  therein,  yet  after  meeting  we 
mounted,  and  got  to  Philadelphia  about  a  quarter  of 
an  hour  after  the  corpse  was  brought  into  the  meeting- 
house, as  I  was  informed.  We  had  a  large,  and  as  I 
thought,  a  good  meeting ;  after  which  I  went  home, 
being  weary  in  my  body,  but  thankful  in  my  heart, 
that  the  Almighty  had  been  with  us,  and  helped  us 
to  perform  that  day's  service. 

On  the  20th  of  the  Eleventh  month,  and  Second 
day  of  the  week,  I  went  into  a  piece  of  ground,  which 
I  was  clearing  for  meadow,  in  order  to  give  directions 
to  the  workmen  ;  one  of  the  trees  fell  contrary  to  the 
kerf,  and  also  to  the  wind,  which  was  then  at  north- 
west, and  when  I  saw  it  falling  towards  me,  I  ran 
from  it,  but  before  I  could  get  out  of  the  way,  it  fell 
upon  me,  across  my  back,  from  my  shoulder  to  my 
hips,  and  struck  me  down  to  the  earth,  where  for  some 
time  I  lay  speechless,  and  in  all  likelihood  I  should 
have  been  immediately  killed,  if  I  had  not  been  provi- 
dentially preserved  by  the  body  of  the  falling  tree 
laying  on  a  stump,  which  prevented  its  crushing  me, 
as  I  lay  on  the  ground.  A  Friend  who  was  near  me, 
with  a  horse,  desired  the  wood-cutters,  when  they 
were  recovered  from  the  surprise,  and  I  to  the  use 
of  my  speech,  to  help  me  on  his  horse,  and  I  rode 
home,  but  in  extreme  misery,  and  I  was  under  great 
concern,  lest  I  should  surprise  my  wife  and  children 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  283 

suddenly.  "We  sent  to  Philadelphia  for  Dr.  Griffith 
Owen,  who  came  in  about  two  hours,  and  let  me 
blood,  and  ordered  several  things  to  be  applied  and 
taken,  which  through  divine  favor  proved  very  ser- 
viceable to  me;  notwithstanding  which,  I  was  in  great 
pain  many  days,  and  the  nights  were  long  and  tedious, 
not  being  able  either  to  feed  myself,  or  to  turn  in  my 
bed,  for  a  great  while.  In  this  confinement  I  was  at 
times  favored  with  a  very  comfortable  sense  of  the 
presence  of  God,  whose  providence  is  over  all  his 
works ;  and  as  his  love  to  me  was  great,  so  the  love 
of  his  people  was  also,  many  of  whom,  and  of  my 
neighbors,  came  to  see  me,  sympathizing  with  me  in 
my  distress ;  but  among  them  I  had  one  of  Job's  com- 
forters, who  wickedly  abused  me  in  this  low  state. 
I  can  scarcely  forbear  mentioning  his  name,  having 
example  for  it  in  holy  Writ,  but  through  the  Lord's 
help,  I  will  put  on  charity. 

The  9th  of  the  Twelfth  month  I  got  abroad  the  first 
time  to  our  meeting  at  Frankford,  with  which  divers 
expressed  their  gladness  to  see  me  there  again.  In 
this  meeting  I  exhorted  them  to  think  on  eternity, 
and  to  prepare  for  it,  by  living  to-day  as  though 
they  were  to  die  to-morrow ;  for  I  found  it  by  expe- 
rience to  be  needful,  and  then  if  sudden  death  comes, 
it  will  not  surprise  us. 

As  I  now  found  it  my  business  to  go  to  sea  for  a 
livelihood,  I  undertook  the  charge  of  the  ship  "  New 
Bristol  Hope,"  as  master,  though  it  was  a  way  of 
living  to  which  I  did  not  incline.     I  took  care  in  our 


284  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

vessel  that  there  should  be  no  swearing  in  my  hearing, 
nor  drunkenness,  to  my  knowledge,  without  reproof; 
and  if  I  could  not  be  instrumental  in  that  way  to 
break  them  from  swearing  and  drinking  to  excess, 
my  manner  was,  to  put  them  away,  so  that  we  gen- 
erally had  a  pretty  quiet  ship.  We  left  Philadelphia 
the  13th  of  the  Twelfth  month,  but  storms  and  con- 
trary winds  detained  us  in  the  river  and  bay,  so  that 
we  did  not  get  out  to  sea  till  the  21st  of  said  month, 
when  the  pilot  left  us,  by  whom  I  wrote  to  my  wife 
and  family.  And  now  I  thought  I  felt  the  benefit  of 
the  good  wishes  of  my  beloved  friends  whom  I  had 
left  behind,  which  did  me  a  great  deal  of  good,  as  it 
often  hath  done  on  the  like  occasion :  for  faithful 
friends  and  good  Christians  are  as  epistles  written 
in  one  another's  hearts.  In  our  passage  we  took 
several  dolphins,  which  were  very  welcome  to  us,  we 
having  a  long  passage,  and  our  fresh  provisions  being 
nearly  spent.  The  19th  of  the  First  month  we  saw 
the  island  of  Barbadoes,  having  had  several  meetings 
on  board  the  ship  in  this  voyage  :  of  the  good  effects 
I  could  see  but  little,  only  for  that  day  they  would  be 
a  little  more  sober,  and  some  of  them,  addicted  to 
swearing,  did  not  swear  so  often  as  they  did  before. 
The  day  following  we  safely  arrived  at  Speight's-town, 
where  we  had  the  next  day  a  very  comfortable  meeting 
for  the  worship  of  God.  The  Fifth  day  following  I 
was  at  Bridgetown,  at  their  week-day  meeting ;  and 
next  First  day,  being  the  30th  of  the  month,  I  was 
at  a  meeting  at  Pumpkin-hill,  where  I  was  enlarged 
on  the  doctrine  of  faith. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  285 

After  this  I  went  to  the  Bridge  with  a  Friend  from 
New  England ;  we  had  two  good  meetings,  it  being 
the  General  Meeting  for  the  Friends  of  the  island; 
and  afterwards  with  several  Friends,  I  went  again  to 
Speight's-town,  and  on  the  12th  of  the  Second  month 
I  was  at  the  Thicket  meeting,  at  which  were  Counsellor 
"Weeks,  Colonel  Charnock,  and  Justice  Sims.  I  dined 
with  them  at  Judge  Weeks',  and  they  discoursed  of 
what  was  said  in  the  meeting  about  dancing,  I  quoting 
Luther's  words,  "  That  as  many  paces  as  the  person 
takes  in  the  dance,  so  many  paces  or  steps  they  take 
towards  hell."  I  told  them  I  had  heard  that  several 
had  used  that  vain  exercise  in  our  meeting-house, 
which  was  appointed  for  the  worship  of  God;  and 
said  I  hoped  for  the  future  it  would  be  so  no  more; 
two  of  those  persons  who  danced  in  our  meeting-house, 
were  then  in  the  meeting,  though  I  did  not  know  it. 
This  testimony  so  wrought  on  the  colonel,  that  he  said 
he  could  scarcely  feel  his  legs  since  I^spoke  it;  and 
the  justice  said  if  these  words  were  true,  he  had  taken 
many  steps  towards  hell;  and  the  counsellor  and  judge 
said  it  was  home  doctrine  to  some  who  were  there : 
divers  of  them  seemed  to  be  touched  with  the  testi- 
mony of  truth,  though  not  so  solidly  as  I  desired. 
Soon  after,  I  went  with  Joshua  Birch  to  visit  the 
governor  of  the  island,  Colonel  Worsley,  who  treated 
us  with  much  freedom  and  civility ;  he  desired  me  to 
sit  down  bv  him,  and  then  called  for  a  decanter  of 
wine,  of  which  he  kindly  offered  me  a  glass,  but  I 
told  him  I  chiefly  drank  water ;  he  said  water  is  cer- 


286  THE   JOUKNAL   OP 

tainly  the  best  drink  in  the  world,  and  told  me  I  was 
a  credit  to  my  drink,  as  I  looked  as  well,  or  better, 
than  most  who  drank  wine. 

In  the  Second  month  I  was  at  meeting  on  a  First 
day  at  Bridgetown,  which  was  somewhat  larger  than 
usual ;  it  was  a  good  open  time  in  the  morning,  but 
more  so  in  the  afternoon.  At  this  meeting  there  was 
a  merchant  of  the  town,  not  of  our  profession,  who 
sent  to  know  if  our  friends  would  make  a  contribu- 
tion for  me,  in  consideration  of  my  losses.  He  said 
he  would  contribute  as  much  as  any,  although  he  had 
heard  me  only  that  one  time ;  but  he  was  informed 
that  we  received  no  money  or  pay  for  our  preaching ; 
yet  his  good  will  I  acknowledged. 

The  4th  of  the  Third  month  I  was  at  meeting  at 
the  Spring,  where  I  met  with  Joseph  Gamble,  and 
John  Oxley  and  his  wife,  and  several  others  not 
belonging  to  this  particular  meeting,  and  we  were 
edified  together  in  the  love  and  life  of  Christ.  I  was 
concerned  to  speak  of  the  divers  visitations  and  speak- 
ings of  God  to  the  people  since  the  world  began ; 
quoting  the  words  of  holy  Writ,  that  "  God,  who  at 
sundry  times,  and  in  divers  manners,  spoke  to  the 
fathers  by  the  prophets,  hath  in  these  last  days  spoken 
unto  us  by  his  Son,  whom  he  hath  appointed  heir  of 
all  things  : "  and  that  this  dispensation  is  the  last  and 
brightest  dispensation  of  all,  and  is  the  greatest  and 
most  glorious  manifestation  of  God's  love  to  mankind; 
and  that  beside  this  vocal  speaking  of  Christ,  when  in 
the  body  on  earth,  he  now  speaks  spiritually :  which 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  287 

spiritual  speaking  of  Christ,  in  and  to  the  true  church 
and  true  believers,  will  outlast  time,  and  endure  to 
all  eternity  ;  the  great  Lord  of  all,  for  his  unspeakable 
benefit  therein,  was  praised  and  glorified,  as  being 
alone  worthy. 

I  had  other  meetings  on  the  island,  which  I  pass 
by,  not  being  willing  to  be  prolix.  After  a  stay  of 
about  nine  weeks,  we  proposed  sailing.  Judge  Gray, 
a  very  noted  man,  and  much  esteemed  among  the 
people,  took  passage  with  us ;  also  Joshua  Birch,  of 
Bridgetown,  for  his  health,  and  William  Callender, 
and  several  others,  as  merchants.  Though  I  came 
on  account  of  trade,  our  friends  gave  me  a  certificate 
that  I  had  good  service  among  them,  and  in  my  out- 
ward affairs  had  gained  esteem  among  the  people,  as 
well  as  in  my  service  in  preaching  Christ ;  all  which 
I  acknowledge  to  be  the  effects  of  divine  grace.  Sev- 
eral Friends  and  acquaintance  came  to  the  sea-shore 
at  Speight's-town  and  in  a  great  deal  of  tender  Chris- 
tian love  and  good  desires,  we  took  leave,  and  com- 
mitted one  another  to  the  protection  of  the  Almighty. 
We  had  a  comfortable  passage,  and  arrived  at  Phila- 
delphia, where  I  was  lovingly  received  by  my  wife 
and  friends. 

In  this  voyage  a  great  and  weighty  concern  came 
on  my  mind,  on  account  of  the  young  and  rising 
generation,  desiring  that  they  might  be  happy  in  this 
world,  and  in  that  which  is  to  come.  And  first,  as  to 
this  world,  I  have  taken  notice  that  divers  of  the 
youth  are  too  apt  to  waste  their  outward  substance, 


288  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

which  is  given  to  them,  for  when  they  get  it  themselves, 
they  are  for  the  most  part  more  saving  of  it,  and  this 
wasting  and  spending,  they  call  generosity,  liberality, 
good  nature,  gentility,  fine  breeding,  and  abundance 
of  other  fine  names  ;  not  considering  the  labor  and 
industry,  frugality,  care  and  watchings,  of  their 
parents  or  ancestors,  to  get  what  they  have.  May 
parents  note  this  well,  and  not  be  anxiously  concerned 
to  get  much  wealth,  which  jnay  be  a  means  to  ruin 
their  posterity ;  and  truly  most  of  these  spending, 
drinking,  company-keeping,  gaming,  chatting,  tip- 
pling youngsters,  take  a  great  deal  more  care  how 
they  may  get  money  from  others,  that  they  may 
spend  it,  than  how  to  earn  it,  or  faithfully  labor  for 
it  themselves.  They  will  beg,  or  borrow,  or  run  in 
debt,  but  take  little  or  no  solid  thought  to  pay ;  by 
which  means  divers  of  those  topping,  beggarly  beaus 
and  spenders,  have  brought  both  themselves  and  rela- 
tions, parents  and  friends,  to  shame  and  disgrace,  and 
sometimes  to  poverty,  where  their  relations  and  par- 
ents have  been  too  liberal.  Let  all  indulgent  parents 
note  this  also. 

And  if  any  concerned  person  should  advise  those 
inconsiderate  youths  of  their  evils,  it  is  much  if  they 
gain  not  their  lasting  ill  will,  and  the  epithets  of  nig- 
gards and  covetous,  ill-natured,  censorious,  sour, 
morose,  etc.  However,  I  shall  venture  to  stand  the 
shock  of  their  displeasure,  and  in  as  moving  terms  as 
I  can,  consistently  with  the  matter  on  my  mind,  en- 
treat them  to  consider   the   end  of  their   spending, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  289 

slothful  life,  which  if  continued  in,  must  needs  end  in 
their  ruin,  and  they  may  repent  when  it  is  too  late, 
crying  out,  Oh  !  that  I  had  hearkened  to  the  advice 
of  my  father  and  my  indulgent  mother  !  Oh  !  that  I 
had  taken  the  counsel  of  my  good  friends  in  time, 
then  I  had  not  been  in  this  condition,  nor  in  those 
straits  I  am  now  in.  This,  or  worse,  must  at  last 
inevitably  be  the  condition  of  those  unthinking,  time- 
wasting,  money-spending,  and  evil  company-keeping, 
young  people  of  both  sexes.  Some  of  whom,  if  they 
can  get  it,  will  spend  more  in  a  few  hours,  than  their 
parents  can  get  in  so  many  days,  which  is  very  un- 
reasonable, as  well  as  unthinking  ;  for  if  the  indulgent 
parents  do  not  hold  their  hands,  truly  they  must  all 
sink  together ;  and  where  the  parents  have  been  what 
these  youths  call  liberal,  whole  families  have  by  such 
liberality  been  undone,  which  is  a  case  to  be  lamented. 

I  pray  our  spending  youths  to  consider,  how  many 
brave,  fine  young  men  and  women,  whose  parents 
have  left  them  estates  and  handsome  incomes,  have 
by  such  extravagances  soon  spent  all,  and  sometimes 
more  than  all,  and  disgrace  and  a  jail  have  been 
their  portion ;  and  how  many,  by  living  too  fast  have 
died  too  soon,  much  sooner  than  might  be  expected 
according  to  the  course  of  nature. 

Wherefore,  I  would  advise  them  to  regard  what 
the  wise  king  Solomon  said,  "  Go  to  the  ant,  thou 
sluggard,  consider  her  ways,  and  be  wise ;  she  gath- 
ereth  her  food  in  the  summer;"  i.  e.,  she  prepares 
against  the  winter.  Though  this  may  be  despicable 
25 


290  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

in  the  eyes  of  our  fine  gentlemen  and  wits,  yet  there 
appears  more  wiscbm  in  these  little  industrious  ani- 
mals, than  in  those  great  spenders,  who  in  the  spring 
and  summer  of  their  years,  take  so  little  thought  of 
saving  what  hath  been  with  so  much  care  gotten  for 
them,  or  of  getting  more  against  their  winter  or  old 
age;  which,  if  they  live,  will  certainly  overtake  them, 
when  their  youth  or  summer  is  gone. 

But  many  youths  object  against  this  advice,  crying 
out,  as  I  have  often  heard,  ""The  aged  give  this 
advice  when  they  are  old,  but  did  as  we  do  when 
they  were  young  as  we  are."  Although  this  may  be 
true  in  some,  yet  it  will  not  hold  good  in  the  general; 
and  if  it  does  in  some,  is  not  that  maxim  good,  "  Let 
others'  harms  learn  us  to  beware,  before  it  be  too  late, 
that  we  fall  not  into  the  same  snare,  which  hath  en- 
tangled or  caught  thousands,  to  their  great  shame 
and  reproach?"  Again,  those  who  have  been  so 
overtaken  in  their  youth,  and  are  escaped  out  of  the 
snare,  are  more  fit  to  caution  or  advise  how  to  escape 
it,  or  to  show  those  paths  which  lead  them  into  that 
labyrinth  of  woe  and  misery. 

The  author  of  all  evil  useth  his  utmost  skill  and 
power  to  promote  the  practice  of  excessive  drinking, 
etc.,  among  mankind,  it  being  a  mighty  support  to 
his  kingdom  ;  for  when  the  nobility  of  the  under- 
standing is  clouded  thereby,  then,  oh !  how  many 
wicked  oaths,  what  corrupt  language,  what  unhand- 
some, unbecoming  words  and  actions,  are  brought 
forth  !    ■  How  is  the  sober,  chaste  soul  offended,  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  291 

above  all  other  considerations,  how  is  God  dishonored, 
and  the  end  of  our  creation  frustrated,  and  man 
condemned ! 

When  people  are  in  those  excesses,  how  do  they 
take  the  sacred  name  in  vain,  and  so  bring  themselves 
in  guilty  before  God  and  man ;  for  he  has  positively 
said   he  will  not  hold   those   guiltless  who  take   his 
name  in  vain ;  so  that  let  him  plead  ever  so  many  ex- 
cuses, he  is  pronounced  guilty  by  the  Judge  of  heaven 
and  earth :  therefore,  let  me  persuade  the  youth  to 
remember  what  the  Lord  by  his  servants  said  con- 
cerning drinking  to  excess  :    "  Woe  to  the  drunkards ;" 
and  that  "  no  drunkard  shall  inherit  the  kingdom." 
Again,    "Woe  to  them   that   are   mighty   to   drink 
wine,  and  men  of  strength  to  mingle  strong  drink," 
etc.     If  it  be  objected,  as  it  often  is,  when  such  poor 
souls  are  reproved,  and  their  sins  set  in  order  before 
them ;  we  trust  in  the  mercy  of  God  and  the  merits 
of  Christ ;  I  say  this  is  a  good  trust  and  hope,  if  upon 
a  good  foundation ;  but  the  wicked  must  forsake  their 
ways,  and  the  unrighteous  their  evil  thoughts;    but 
what   forsaking  is  that,  when   strong  conviction  is 
upon  the  soul,  to  make  covenants,  vows,  and  promises, 
and  break  them   from   time  to  time?    And  though 
Christ  hath  satisfied  the  justice  of  the  Almighty  for 
sinners,  it  is  for  those  who  forsake  their  sins,  not  for 
those  who  plead  for  the  practice  of  them,  and  en- 
deavor, by  many  vain  excuses,  to  justify  themselves 
in  them.  ... 

Since  then  the  salvation  of  the  soul  is  precious,  and 


292  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

hath  cost  the  precious  blood  of  the  Lamb  of  God,  and 
is  much  more  precious  than  health  or  wealth,  why 
should  any  be  so  cruel  and  hard-hearted  to  themselves 
as,  for  a  little  vanity,  mirth,  toys,  trifles,  vain  sports, 
and  evil  pastime,  to  plunge  and  sink  themselves  into 
the  gulf  of  eternal  woe  and  misery ;  pray,  oh !  pray 
consider  it,  dear  youth. 

After  my  return  from  Barbadoes  in  the  Fourth 
month,  I  visited  Friends'  meetings  at  Burlington,  the 
Falls  of  Delaware,  Abington,  Germantown,  and  was 
divers  times  at  Philadelphia  and  Frankford;  which 
meetings  were  much  to  my  satisfaction ;  the  Lord 
being  pleased  to  manifest  his  goodness  to  many,  as 
also  to  my  poor  exercised  soul ;  for  which  I  was  truly 
thankful  unto  him. 

In  the  Sixth  month  I  was  at  the  General  Meeting 
of  Friends  at  Darby,  in  Chester  county,  which  was 
a  large  and  good  meeting,  divers  Friends  appearing 
there  in  a  lively  ministry.  About  this  time,  some 
thousands  of  people  came  from  Ireland,  and  also  many 
from  Holland;  among  whom,  it  was  reported,  were 
Komans,  or  Papists,  several  of  whom,  it  was  said, 
gave  out  threatening  speeches,  which  caused  some 
consternation  among  the  people. 

At  this  large  General  Meeting)  I  exhorted  them  to 
trust  in  the  Lord,  and  not  to  distrust  that  hand  which 
had  hitherto  preserved  us  by  his  providence  without 
outward  force;  and  that  though  the  people  who  came 
among  us  were  many  in  number,  yet  we  having  the 
Lord  on  our  side,  were  more  than  they,  in  a  mystical 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  293 

sense ;  putting  them  in  remembrance  of  the  prophet, 
who,  when  his  servant  was  afraid,  prayed  to  the  Al- 
mighty to  open  his  eyes,  and  when  they  were  opened, 
he  saw  the  mountain  full  of  chariots  of  fire,  and  horses 
of  fire,  and  that  they  were  more  than  their  enemies. 
I  was  also  concerned  to  exhort  Friends  to  be  good 
examples  to  those  strangers  who  came  among  us  in 
such  great  numbers ;'  and  that  our  lights  in  our  con- 
versations, might  so  shine,  that  those  people  seeing 
our  good  works,  might  glorify  our  Father  which  is  in 
heaven,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ ;  and  then 
we  should  do  them  good,  and  they  would  do  us  no 
hurt,  but  good  also.  But  on  the  other  hand,  if  we 
keep  not  our  places,  and  do  not  live  in  the  fear  of  God, 
nor  according  to  our  holy  principles  and  profession,  then 
it  might  be  just  with  the  Lord  God,  to  make  them  a 
scourge  to  us.  Many  were  comforted  in  this  meeting, 
and  God  was  praised,  who  is  worthy. 

On  the  15th  of  the  Sixth  month,  having  loaded  the 
ship  "  New  Bristol  Hope "  a  second  time,  I  sailed  in 
her  from  Philadelphia,  and  having  a  concern  to  visit 
the  meeting  of  Friends  at  Salem,  I  left  the  ship  at 
Gloucester,  under  the  care  of  the  pilot,  and  went  by 
land  to  the  First-day  meeting  at  Salem,  and  from 
thence  to  Elsenborough,  and  stayed  till  the  ship  came 
down ;  and  on  the  20th  of  the  month  we  got  to  sea, 
and  had  a  fair  wind  for  several  days,  and  lived  very 
lovingly  on  board,  being  respectfully  treated  by  my 
sailors. 

In  this  voyage  we  had  several  meetings  on  board, 

25* 


294  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

the  first  of  which  was  at  the  request  of  my  second 
mate,  to  call  the  sailors  together  in  the  cabin ;  I  not 
being  forward  to  propose  it  to  them,  lest  they  should 
suspect  me  of  some  vanity,  in  desiring  to  preach  to 
them ;  they  not  knowing  the  cross  of  Christ  in  that 
exercise. 

On  the  24th  day  of  the  Seventh  month,  at  noon, 
our  ship  by  observation,  being  exactly  in  the  latitude 
of  Barbadoes,  we  steered  away  west  for  the  island,  and 
on  the  26th  we  saw  it,  five  weeks  and  one  day  after 
leaving  sight  of  Cape  Henlopen  ;  we  having,  after  the 
first  few  days,  light  winds,  calms,  and  head  winds, 
which  made  our  passage  long,  and  our  sea-stores  al- 
most spent ;  but  now  the  sight  of  land  made  the  people 
forget  all  uneasiness,  and  for  this  favor,  my  heart  was 
thankful  to  the  great  Preserver  of  men. 

This  time  we  came  to  a  tolerable  market  with  our 
provisions,  which  made  our  stay  short ;  yet  I  was 
divers  times  at  Bridge  meeting  of  Friends,  as  also  at 
Speight's- town,  where  my  concerns  chiefly  lay;  and 
once  at  Pumpkin-hill  meeting,  in  which  it  was  ob- 
served to  the  people,  that  the  salvation  of  the  soul  is 
precious,  and  that  true  religion  is  a  solid  thing,  a 
thing  of  the  greatest  moment  to  both  body  and  soul, 
and  that  people  ought  to  be  very  serious  and  solidly 
concerned  about  it,  taking  special  care  to  lay,  or 
build,  their  religion  on  a  sure  foundation.  It  was 
showed  them,  that  Christ  Jesus  is  the  sure  rock  and 
foundation  of  all  the  righteous,  in  all  ages ;  that  he 
was  the  Kock  that  followed  Israel,  which  they  drank 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  295 

of;  and  that  any  other  foundation  than  him,  no  man 
can  lay ;  who  is,  in  the  truly  T-eligious,  and  the  true 
believers,  the  hope  of  their  glory.  Many  other  pre- 
cious truths  were  manifested  to  us  in  that  meeting, 
for  which  we  praised  the  Lord. 

Soon  after  I  went  to  Bridgetown  to  clear  out  the 
vessel,  and  was  at  their  week-day  meeting ;  the  sub- 
ject-matter I  had  to  treat  of  in  that  meeting,  was 
that  "  The  Lord  bringeth  low,  and  he  raiseth  up 
again  ;"  and  that  in  divers  respects,  as  to  kingdoms, 
families,  and  particular  persons ;  and  as  to  health, 
wealth,  honor,  etc.,  divers  in  that  meeting  were  ap- 
pealed to  as  witnesses  of  it.  After  this  meeting  I  went 
to  visit  the  governor,  who  was  courteous  to  me,  and 
took  my  visit  kindly,  and  desired  to  be  remembered 
to  our  governor  and  several  others,  and  wished  me  a 
prosperous  voyage,  and  well  back  again,  which  he 
hoped  would  be  in  about  three  months ;  he  said, 
"  Whoever  lived  to  see  it,  Pennsylvania  would  be  the 
metropolis  of  America,  in  some  hundreds  of  years." 
He  said  "  He  loved  downright  honest  men,  but  he 
hated  deceit  and  hypocrisy." 

The  21st  of  the  Eighth  month,  1729,  we  having 
done  our  business,  weighed  anchor  and  went  to  sea; 
and  on  the  26th  we  had  a  good  meeting  with  the 
ship's  company,  for  the  service  and  worship  of  God ; 
in  which  the  gospel  of  Christ  was  deckred  without 
partiality,  and  the  reigning  sins  of  sailors  openly 
exposed,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  gospel,  and 
the  most  high  Lord  entreated   to  carry  on  in  the 


296  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

earth  the  great  work  of  reformation.  Hitherto  we 
have  had  fine,  pleasant  weather. 

The  beginning  of  the  Ninth  month  we  had  a  very 
blustering,  stormy  time  for  many  days,  so  that  we  could 
not  carry  sail,  but  sometimes  lay  by,  and  sometimes 
went  with  a  reefed  mainsail  and  foresail ;  the  ship 
had  such  a  violent  motion,  that  it  broke  our  glasses 
and  about  a  dozen  bottles  of  wine,  and  our  earthen- 
ware, and  strained  our  hogsheads  and  casks,  so  that 
we  pumped  out  molasses  into  the  sea,  and  beat  us 
back  many  leagues,  and  blew  our  sails  out  of  the 
bolt-ropes. 

After  those  storms  we  had  a  calm,  and  the  wind 
sprung  up  westerly ;  our  course  being  north-west,  or 
thereabouts,  we  could  barely  lay  it ;  yet  it  being  mod- 
erate, we  had  cause  to  be  thankful. 

The  12th  of  the  Ninth  month  we  found  ourselves 
in  the  latitude  of  thirty-six  degrees,  seventeen  min- 
utes, north ;  but  the  wind  was  ahead,  and  our  fresh 
stock  of  provisions  almost  expended,  and  winter  com- 
ing on  apace,  the  nights  dark  and  long,  made  it  seem 
tedious  to  our  people ;  the  which  I  was  helped  to  bear 
with  patience. 

The  14th  day,  about  eight  o'clock  at  night,  John 
Plasket,  one  of  the  best  of  our  sailors,  through  the 
violent  pitching  of  the  ship,  fell  into  the  sea  from 
off  the  bowsprit ;  one  of  the  sailors  seeing  him  fall, 
nimbly  threw  a  rope  to  him,  which  he  caught  hold  of, 
and  the  people  helped  him  into  the  ship ;  though  in 
all  probability  he  had  perished  in  the  sea,  if  he  had 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  297 

missed  taking  hold  of  the  rope.  I  was  thankful  to 
the  Almighty  for  this  young  man's  life,  and  took  it 
as  a  great  favor  from  heaven.  The  next  day  it  was 
dreadfully  stormy,  the  wind  blew  violently  at  south- 
west, with  lightning,  thunder,  and  much  rain;  the 
seas  ran  so  high,  and  the  ship  had  such  a  great 
motion,  that  the  goods,  or  casks,  shifted  in  the  hold, 
and  we  lay  by  till  next  day ;  our  sails  also  were  much 
torn,  and  in  many  places  blown  out  of  the  bolt-ropes, 
so  that  we  were  half  a  day  mending  them,  and  then 
proceeded  on  our  voyage  home,  where  we  arrived  the 
latter  end  of  the  month. 

After  I  came  home  from  this  voyage,  during  the 
small  stay  I  made  on  shore,  I  was  divers  times  at 
meetings  at  Philadelphia  and  Frankford,  and  also  at 
Germantown,  at  the  burial  of  our  ancient  friend  Den- 
nis Conrad,  who  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  this 
town,  as  I  understood  the  first  meeting  of  Friends, 
for  worship,  was  kept  at  his  house ;  he  was  a  man  of 
an  inoffensive  life,  much  given  to  hospitality,  and  left 
a  good  report  behind  him.  The  meeting  was  large, 
and  many  of  the  first  settlers  of  the  country  were 
there.  I  was  also  at  the  burial  of  Catharine,  the 
daughter  of  Thomas  Lightfoot,  and  wife  of  James 
Miller,  a  worthy  woman,  who  died  soon  after  their 
arrival  from  Ireland,  and  was  buried  from  our  great 
meeting-house  in  Philadelphia,  in  a  decent  and  exem- 
plary manner. 

The  latter  end  of  the  Tenth  month,  Samuel  Harri- 
son, of  New  York,  and  Obadiah  Lawrence,  of  Long 


298  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Island,  favored  me  with  their  company  all  night  at 
our  house,  where  we  called  the  family  together,  and 
had  a  seasonable  time  to  take  leave,  they  of  me,  and 
I  of  them,  and  my  family  also ;  and  the  next  day 
divers  very  dear  friends  came  with  me  to  the  boat, 
to  the  river-side,  to  take  leave,  and  we  parted  with 
hearts  full  of  love  and  good  will  to  each  other. 

I  went  on  board  at  Wiccacoe,  and  had  a  cold  pas- 
sage down  the  river  and  bay,  and  left  the  Capes  the 
1st  of  the  Eleventh  month,  being  the  third  voyage 
as  master,  and  the  17th  we  passed  the  tropic  of  Can- 
cer. Hitherto  we  had  a  comfortable  passage,  and 
though  we  had  a  crowded  ship,  yet  we  had  peace  and 
quietness  to  a  greater  degree  than  I  expected;  for 
men  that  use  the  seas  are  too  generally  inconstant 
as  the  winds  and  waters  they  pass  through.  We  had 
several  meetings  on  board  the  vessel,  and  were  at  sea 
about  four  weeks  before  we  arrived  at  Barbadoes, 
where  the  markets  were  dull,  which  occasioned  our 
staying  about  twelve  weeks. 

During  this  time  I  had  divers  religious  and  good 
opportunities,  with  those  of  our  own  and  other  socie- 
ties, I  believe  to  general  satisfaction;  having  the  good 
wishes  of  people  of  all  ranks,  from  the  governor  to 
the  poor  negroes ;  all  of  whom  I  profess  to  love  for 
Christ's  sake. 

In  our  return  home  we  had  a  full  ship  and  upwards 
of  thirty  passengers,  and  were  on  our  passage  about 
a  month,  and  had  good  comfortable  weather  therein. 

Soon  after  I  came  home  from  Barbadoes  in  the 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  299 

Third  month,  1730,  I  went  to  a  meeting  at  Burling- 
ton, at  which  Thomas  Evans  was  married ;  Margaret 
Preston  was  also  there.  It  was  a  good  meeting.  I 
crossed  the  river  Delaware  twice,  visited  a  sick  per- 
son, and  rode  thirty  miles  that  day.  I  also  went  to 
the  Falls  meeting,  and  after  it,  appointed  another  at 
Neshaminy  the  same  day.  I  went  with  Joseph  Kirk- 
bride  to  William  Paxton's,  and  lodged,  and  next 
morning  Joseph  Kirkbride  rode  with  me  home,  and 
thence  to  Philadelphia.  I  was  divers  times  at  Phi- 
ladelphia, Frankford,  and  German  town,  and  at  the 
General  Meeting  at  Frankford,  where  our  friend  John 
Cadwallader  was  married ;  Isaac  Norris,  Samuel  Pres- 
ton, and  Margaret  his  wife,  and  John  Oxley,  were  at 
this  meeting,  with  many  other  Friends,  a  good  share 
of  whose  company  I  had  at  my  house,  of  which  I  was 
glad,  ever  loving  and  coveting  the  company  of  good 
men  and  women. 

I  was  now  preparing  for  the  fourth  voyage,  as 
master  of  the  "New  Bristol  Hope,"  for  Barbadoes; 
but  it  grew  harder  and  harder  for  me  to  leave  my 
family,  which,  for  many  considerations,  was  very  ex- 
ercising ;  yet  I  was  obliged  to  continue  going  to  sea, 
upon  an  honorable  account;  i.  e.,  that  no  person  might 
suffer  by  me,  if  I  could  help  it ;  and  having  got  our 
vessel  loaded,  we  sailed  from  Philadelphia  the  9th  of 
the  Fifth  month.  Next  day  came  to  anchor  at  Ches- 
ter, and  visited  my  old  friend  David  Lloyd,  who,  with 
his  good  spouse  Grace,  treated  me  with  tender,  Chris- 
tian love :  the  Judge  and  I  being  old  acquaintances, 
and  both  of  us  in  years,  and  he  not  well,  we  took 


300  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

leave  as  if  we  were  not  to  see  one  another  any  more, 
which  happened  accordingly,  for  he  died  before  I 
returned. 

"We  weighed  anchor  at  Chester,  and  got  down  to 
Elsenborough,  and  went  to  Salem  meeting,  with  some 
of  our  passengers  and  sailors,  it  being  the  First  day 
of  the  week  and  12th  of  the  month.  The  meeting 
was  pretty  large,  and  I  was  earnestly  concerned  for 
their  welfare,  as  I  had  often  been  when  I  was  absent, 
and  was  glad  I  was  with  them  that  day. 

After  this  meeting  we  proceeded  on  our  voyage, 
and  left  the  Capes  the  15th  of  the  aforesaid  month ; 
had  small  and  contrary  winds,  and  sometimes  calms, 
until  the  2d  of  the  Sixth  month;  and  First  day  of 
the  week,  when  the  wind  was  at  south,  and  a  hard 
gale,  the  sea  high,  and  the  ship  having  a  great  mo- 
tion, we  had  not  a  meeting  as  usual :  many  of  the  pas 
sengers  were  very  sea-sick.  For  my  part,  I  thought  if 
the  Almighty  was  but  with  me,  that  would  make  up 
for  all  difficulties ;  for  in  him  was,  and  is,  my  life  and 
chiefest  joy ;  and  as  an  answer  of  peace  in  my  tossed 
condition,  I  sometimes  had  comfortable  times;  being 
inwardly  refreshed  with  the  love  and  presence  of 
God ;  not  only  in  the  day,  but  also  in  the  night,  in 
my  sleep ;  out  of  which  I  was  awakened  one  mora- 
ine: with  these  comfortable  words,  "  He  took  me  to 
his  banqueting-house,  and  his  banner  o-Ter  me  was 
love."  These  expressions  were  so  fresh  in  my  mind 
for  some  days,  that  I  could  not  forbear  but  bless  the 
holy  name  of  the  living  Lord  secretly  in  my  soul. 

The  16th  of  the  Sixth  month  we  arrived  at  Bar- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  301 

badoes.  The  17th  there  arose  about  midnight  a 
hard  gale  of  wind,  which  the  Barbadians  call  a  hur- 
ricane, or  tornado,  and  blew  more  than  ten  vessels 
ashore,  great  and  small,  which  were  wholly  lost ;  and 
our  ship  was  very  near  the  rocks,  people  looking 
every  minute  when  she  would  come  on  shore :  but 
through  divine  favor  we  escaped,  with  only  the  boat 
stove  against  the  rocks.  I  would  have  got  on  board, 
but  that  was  impracticable ;  but  I  got  on  the  highest 
place  I  could,  from  which  I  could  see  them  in  the 
ship,  and  they  me  on  shore;  but  we  could  not,  for 
the  violence  of  the  wind,  hear  one  another ;  yet  they 
were  so  near  the  fort  where  I  stood,  that  I  could 
discern  them  one  from  another,  and  they  me  from 
the  multitude  of  people,  many  being  in  the  fort  with 
me.  I  seeing  the  chief  mate  look  towards  me,  waved 
my  hat  towards  him,  and  he  in  answer,  his  to  me; 
then  I  made  a  signal  to  him  to  go  to  sea,  which  they 
immediately  did,  letting  slip  their  cables  and  went  to 
sea,  without  either  boat,  anchor,  or  cables,  and  came 
in  the  next  day,  and  got  their  cables  and  anchors 
again,  to  the  great  joy  of  many  of  the  inhabitants, 
whose  hearty  prayers  were  for  our  safety,  as  many 
of  them  told  me.  This  among  many  others,  I  put  in 
my  calendar  of  deliverances  and  preservations  from 
imminent  dangers,  by  the  hand  of  divine  Providence. 
We  stayed  this  time  in  Barbadoes  about  five  weeks 
leaving  the  island  the  27th  of  the  Seventh  month; 
and  there  I  met  with  Kobert  Jordan,  my  friend  and 

brother  in  the  work  and  fellowship  of  the  gospel  of 
26 


302  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Christ,  who  took  his  passage  with  us  for  Philadelphia, 
whose  company  was  pleasant  and  comfortable. 

The  4th  of  the  Eighth  month  we  met  with  a  hard 
gale  of  wind,  which  broke  the  tiller  of  our  rudder, 
and  split  our  bowsprit  and  mainsail,  and  overset 
many  of  our  chests ;  Robert  Jordan  narrowly  missed 
his,  chest  falling  on  him  from  one  side  of  the  ship  to 
the  other,  which  escape  we  looked  upon  as  a  merciful 
providence,  and  spoke  of  it  to  one  another. 

In  this  passage  we  saw  three  vessels  only ;  it  was 
a  blustering  time,  but  the  shortest  from  land  to  land 
that  ever  I  had,  being  but  fourteen  days  and  fourteen 
hours  from  the  sight  of  Barbadoes  to  the  sight  of  the 
mainland  :  we  arrived  at  Philadelphia  the  16th  of 
the  Eighth  month. 

In  the  Ninth  month  I  proceeded  on  a  fifth  voyage 
to  Barbadoes,  as  master,  and  went  down  the  river 
Delaware  on  a  Seventh  day,  and  on  First  day  was  at 
Chester  meeting,  at  which  time  there  was  a  burial  of 
a  child,  and  a  large  meeting.  Our  friends  at  Chester 
were  glad  to  see  me,  and  I  them ;  and  after  meeting 
we  set  sail  and  went  down  the  river  to  Elsenborough, 
where  we  came  to  and  landed  Robert  Worthington, 
whose  son  Ezra  was  on  board,  and  went  to  Barbadoes 
for  his  health,  being  in  a  deep  consumption. 

"We  were  on  our  passage  about  thirty-three  days 
before  we  arrived  at  Barbadoes,  when  after  doing  my 
business,  and  visiting  Friends'  meetings  about  five 
weeks,  we  put  to  sea  on  the  10th  of  the  Twelfth 
month,  and  sailed  along  to  the  leeward  of  several 
islands,  till  we  came  to  Anguilla,  where  we  landed  io 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  303 

expectation  to  get  salt,  but  at  this  time  there  was  not 
any  to  be  had  there.     We  came  to  an  anchor  here  in 
the  night,  hoping  to  get  to  a  harbor  before  it  was 
dark ;  but  it  soon  being  very  dark,  and  coming  into 
shoal  water,  we  saw  a  large  rock,  and  came  to  by  the 
side  of  it,  in  about  five  or  six  fathom  water,  taking 
it  to  be  a  ship,  and  when  it  was  day  we  saw  our  mis- 
take, and  that  instead  of  a  vessel,  we  were  too  nigh 
a  rock,  and  the  wind  coming  about,  tailed  our  ship 
towards  it,  so  near  that  we  were  sensible  of  touching 
twice;   I  ordered  the  men  to  heave  a  little  further 
ahead,    and   so   we   lay  clear   till   morning.     When 
morning  came,  of  which  we  were  glad,  several  boats 
with  a  cable  came  to  us,  and  the  people  advised  us 
to  put  a  spring  on  our  cable  and  cut  it,  that  she 
might  cast  the  right  way ;  which  accordingly  we  did, 
and  it  had  the  desired  effect ;  so  that  we  soon  got 
into  a  very  fine  harbor,  it  being  about  a  mile  off. 
Thanks  were  given  to  the  Almighty  by  many  of  the 
people,  for  this  deliverance.      George  Leonard,  the 
governor  of  the  island,  heard  in  the  morning,  that  a 
vessel  was  on  the  rocks,  and  the  people  were  running 
with  saws  and  axes,  in  order  to  break  her  up,  if  she 
could  not  be  got  off:  the  governor  seeing  them,  sent 
a  lieutenant  with  orders  that,  let  her  belong  to  what 
nation  soever,  they  should  help  to  get  her  off,  if  it 
could  be,  and  if  she  was  likely  to  be  made  a  wreck, 
he  charged  them  at  their  peril  not  to  meddle  with 
her,  nor  anything  belonging  to  her,  until  they  had 
first  come  to  teims  with  the  master;  which  is  worthy 
to  be  recorded. 


304  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

We  stayed  several  days  before  we  could  get  our 
anchor;  for  after  we  were  in  the  harbor,  it  blew  very 
hard  for  four  or  five  days ;  so  that  with  our  four  oars 
we  could  not  row  our  boat  ahead,  but  watching  for  a 
calm  one  night,  our  people  went  out  and  got  it,  and 
then  we  went  into  the  principal  road  or  harbor  in  the 
island,  called  Croaker's  bay.  The  name  of  that  we 
came  from  was  Rendezvous  bay,  where  lived  a  very 
kind  friend  of  ours,  named  John  Rumney,  who,  with 
his  wife  and  family,  treated  us  with  great  love,  and 
courteously  received  us  into  their  house,  and  he  went 
with  me  to  the  governor's,  who  was  my  old  acquaint- 
ance and  friend,  who  with  much  love  and  tenderness, 
when  he  knew  me,  took  me  in  his  arms  and  embraced 
me,  saluted  me  with  a  kiss  of  charity,  and  thanked 
God  for  our  deliverance,  and  that  he  had  lived  to  see 
me  once  more,  I  having  been  there  some  years  before : 
he  was  seventy  odd  years  of  age,  as  I  remember,  and 
had  more  than  eighty  who  called  him  father;  the 
people  living  much  on  roots  and  pulse,  are  very 
healthy  in  this  island.  I  was  here  nine  days,  and 
had  seven  meetings  with  the  people;  the  longer  I 
stayed  the  larger  the  meetings  were ;  so  that  I  had 
some  difficulty  to  leave  them.  Through  the  grace 
and  gift  of  God  I  was  helped  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
Christ  freely,  and  they  received  it  both  freely  and 
thankfully,  divers,  if  not  all;  for  their  hearts  and 
mine  were  very  open  one  to  another,  the  Lord's  holy 
name  be  praised  forever. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  305 


CHAPTER    X. 

1731-1734. 

Continued  Voyaging — Small-Pox  in  Philadelphia  —Hurricane  in 
Barbadoes  —  Storms  at  Sea  —  Troubles  from  Ice  —  Religious 
Labors  about  Home  —  Concealed  Sorrow  —  Heavy  Gales  —  Need 
for  Patience  —  First  Friends'  Meeting  in  Christopher's — Insur- 
rection of  Negroes  in  St.  John's  —  Death  of  Thomas  Chalkley's 
Son  George  —  George's  Character  and  last  Sickness  —  Voyage  to 
Ireland  —  Return  Home. 

The  3d  of  the  First  month  Ezra  Worthington  died, 
and  the  4th  in  the  afternoon,  he  was  buried  on  the 
plantation  of  John  Rumney,  near  his  house ;  the  gov- 
ernor and  his  son-in-law  were  at  the  burial,  where  I 
told  them  that  he  was  an  inoffensive,  innocent,  sober 
young  man,  and  that  death  was  to  be  the  end  of  us 
here,  putting  them  in  mind  to  remember  their  latter 
end.  After  I  had  done  speaking,  the  governor  said 
that  death  was  a  debt  due  to  nature,  and  that  we 
must  all  pay  it,  and  blessed  is  the  man  who  in  time 
truly  prepares  for  it.  This  was  a  good  expression 
for  a  man  in  his  post,  and  worthy  of  my  notice,  as  I 
thought. 

I  was  at  one  meeting,  where  were  the  governor  and 
his  daughter,  with  divers  of  the  best  and  soberest 

people  of  this  island:  it  was  a  satisfactory  meeting, 
26* 


306  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

which  ended  in  prayer ;  and  when  I  arose  from  my 
knees,  I  found  the  governor  on  one  side  and  his 
daughter  on  the  other  side  of  me,  both  on  their 
knees;  a  posture  in  which  people  are  too  seldom 
found  in  this  degenerate  age  of  the  world. 

On  the  10th  of  the  First  month  we  departed  from 
the  island  of  Anguilla,  with  a  pleasant  gale,  and  had 
fair  weather  and  winds  for  several  days.  I  spent 
some  time  of  this  voyage  in  reading,  and  met  with 
a  passage  concerning  friendship.  The  comfort  and 
beauty  of  it  was  set  forth  therein,  yet  most  who  treat 
upon  that  noble  subject,  place  the  felicity  thereof  in 
humanity ;  whereas  true  and  lasting  friendship  is  of 
a  divine  nature,  and  can  never  be  firmly  settled  with- 
out divine  grace.  Christ  Jesus  is  the  prime  friend 
of  mankind,  from  whom  all  true  and  lasting  friend- 
ship  flows,  as  from  a  living  fountain,  himself  being 
the  head  spring  thereof.  "  Henceforth,"  says  he,  "  I 
call  you  not  servants,  but  friends,  and  ye  are  my 
friends,  if  ye  do  whatsoever  I  command  you."  And 
again,  "By  this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my 
disciples,  if  ye  love  one  another."  Oh,  holy  expres- 
sions !  much  to  be  admired,  and  worthy  every  man 
-and  woman's  imitation  and  practice.  Observe  that 
when  they  had  done  whatsoever  Christ  had  com- 
manded them,  then  they  were  to  be  his  friends,  and 
they  were  not  only  to  be  his  friends,  but  one  another's 
friends,  as  he  was  theirs ;  and  if  occasion  were,  as  he 
died  for  them,  so  they  would  die  for  one  another. 
By  this  mark  and  true  seal  of  the  truest  friendship, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  307 

all  the  world  should  know  they  belonged  to  Christ, 
that  they  were  united  to  him,  and  in  him  united  to 
one  another.  Nothing  but  disobedience  and  sin  can 
ever  separate  this  friendship. 

Against  this  friendship  which  is  in  Christ,  and 
grounded  and  founded  upon  him,  the  gates  of  hell 
can  never  prevail;  but  all  friendship  founded  upon 
any  consideration  merely  human,  is  brittle  and  un- 
certain, and  subject  to  change  or  mutability,  as  expe- 
rience hath  taught  in  all  ages. 

If  any  person  has  a  desire  to  have  a  faithful  friend, 
let  that  person  be  sure  to  make  choice  of  Christ ;  for 
such  as  choose  him  have  a  friend  in  whom  are  lasting 
peace,  comfort,  and  delight,  joy  and  pleasure,  and  in 
him  alone  are  they  to  be  enjoyed  forever. 

The  20th  of  the  First  month  being  the  first  of  the 
week,  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting  for  divine  wor- 
ship, in  which  the  goodness  of  God  was  extended  to 
us  as  we  were  rolling  on  the  mighty  waters  of  the 
great  deep,  after  which  we  had  pleasant  weather  and 
a  fair  wind  for  several  days. 

On  the  t!6th  the  wind  sprung  up  at  E.  N.  E.,  a 
hard  gale,  which  lasted  several  days ;  for  about  thirty 
hours  it  blew  so  hard  that  we  could  dress  no  victuals. 
I  thought  on  the  words  of  Job,  when  he  spoke  to  his 
impatient  wife,  saying,  "  Shall  we  receive  good  at  the 
hand  of  God,  and  shall  we  not  receive  evil  also  ?  "  cr 
that  which  is  accounted  or  looks  like  evil  in  the  eyes 
of  man.  In  this  time  of  exercise,  the  love  and  heav- 
enly life  of  God,  in  his  beloved  Son,  filled  my  heart, 


308  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

and  caused  an  overflowing  of  praises  to  his  holy,  glo- 
rious, and  blessed  name.  Oh !  it  was  exceedingly 
precious  to  my  soul  at  that  time. 

The  1st  of  the  Second  month  we  saw  land,  being 
driven  to  the  southward  nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  in  this  last  hard  weather;  but  we  soon  after 
arrived  at  our  desired  port. 

I  visited  the  meetings  of  Friends  at  Philadelphia, 
Burlington,  the  Falls,  Abington,  Germantown,  Bris- 
tol, and  Frankford,  and  found  the  people  had  been 
under  a  general  visitation  of  the  small-pox,  insomuch 
that  many  hundreds,  especially  of  children,  were  taken 
off  the  stage  of  this  life,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia ; 
and  I  was  concerned  to  exhort  Friends  in  that  city 
,to  bring  their  children  to  meetings,  and  to  educate 
them  when  young,  in  the  way  they  should  go,  that 
they  might  not  depart  from  it  when  old ;  and  that 
He  who  had  taken  many  away,  could,  if  he  pleased, 
take  many  more ;  for  though  he  had  laid  down  his 
rod  at  present,  the  distemper  in  the  city  being  much 
abated,  yet  he  could  soon  take  it  up  again.  It  is  my 
belief  that  the  Lord  Almighty  will  still  continue  to 
visit  the  city  and  people,  if  there  is  not  a  reformation, 
with  further,  if  not  sorer  visitations,  because  he  hath 
known  them  to  do  them  good,  and  make  them  a  bless- 
ing to  many  islands  and  people ;  giving  them  the  fat- 
ness of  the  earth,  and  that  which  is  far  more,  the 
dew  of  heaven ;  so  that  he  may  justly  say  to  us,  aa 
to  Israel  of  old,  "  You  have  I  known  of  all  the  fam- 
ilies of  the  earth ;  therefore  I  will  visit  you  for  all 
your  iniquities." 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  309 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Fourth  month,  Robert 
Jordan  was  married  to  Mary,  the  widow  of  Richard 
Hill,  all  three  worthy  Friends.  The  meeting  on  this 
occasion  was  large,  and  the  marriage  solemnized  in 
the  fear  of  God.  Divers  Friends  were  concerned  to 
speak  to  ihe  people,  and  it  was  greatly  desired  that 
those  present,  who  were  then  spoken  to,  might  be 
married  to  Christ,  the  great  lover  of  souls,  who  laid 
down  his  life,  the  most  precious  life  that  ever  was  on 
earth,  and  shed  his  precious  blood  for  our  salvation. 

A  few  days  after,  I  again  took  shipping  for  the 
island  of  Barbadoes,  being  the  sixth  voyage,  in  the 
"New  Bristol  Hope,"  and  left  the  Capes  of  Delaware 
the  8th  day  of  the  Fourth  month.  The  22d  of  the 
month,  being  weary,  I  laid  down  to  rest,  and  falling 
asleep,  was  awakened  with  these  words,  "  Oh,  heart 
in  heaven !  it  is  an  excellent  thing  to  have  an  heart 
in  heaven !  "  These  words  were  comfortable  to  me, 
and  left  a  sweetness  on  my  mind  all  the  day  after, 
for  which  I  was  thankful,  and  greatly  desired  that 
my  heart  might  be  set  and  fixed  more  and  more  on 
heaven  and  heavenly  things,  and  that  my  treasure 
might  be  in  heaven,  that  my  heart  might  be  there 
also,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  my  Saviour:  "Lay 
up  for  yourselves  treasure  in  heaven,  for  where  your 
treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart  be  also." 

The  27th  being  the  First  day  of  the  week,  we  had 
a  comfortable  meeting,  the  weather  being  moderate ; 
and  on  the  7th  of  the  Fifth  month  we  arrived  at 
Bridgetown  in  Barbadoes,  where  we  unloaded  part 


310  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

of  our  cargo,  and  from  thence  we  went  to  Speight's- 
town ;  where,  after  a  stay  of  about  five  weeks,  we 
accomplished  our  affairs.  I  also  visited  all  our  Friends' 
meetings,  and  some  several  times,  in  which  we  were 
edified  and  comforted,  and  divers  of  us  had  occasion 
to  bless  the  holy  name  of  God  for  his  mercy  to  us. 
Before  we  left  the  island,  there  happened  a  great 
storm  or  hurricane,  which  did  much  damage  to  the 
ships  and  to  the  island,  blowing  down  many  houses 
and  spoiling  much  provisions,  destroying  almost  all 
the  plantain-trees  on  the  island,  which  is  a  very 
wholesome  and  pleasant  fruit,  and  much  used  by 
many  instead  of  bread. 

I  was  clearing  out  the  vessel  when  this  storm  hap-' 
pened,  and  being  twelve  miles  off,  could  not  hear 
concerning  her,  but  thought  it  altogether  unlikely 
that  she  should  ride  out  so  great  a  storm,  in  so  bad  a 
harbor  or  road,  it  being  open  to  the  sea,  and  the 
storm  such  as  had  not  been  known  for  many  years,  and 
some  said,  never  but  once,  to  their  knowledge,  though 
more  damage  had  at  some  other  times  been  done  to  the 
shipping,  by  reason  that  the  hardest  of  the  wind  was 
not  that  way,  which  was  most  dangerous  to  them  in 
Carlisle  bay,  where  they  mostly  lay ;  they  all  got  out 
to  sea,  except  two  or  three  that  were  lost  by  the  vio- " 
Lence  of  the  weather.  It  was  indeed  a  very  dismal 
time ;  the  vessels  which  rode  it  out  were  much  dam- 
aged, and  one  being  loaded,  ready  to  sail,  sunk  down, 
and  was  lost  in  the  bay.  When  I  had  cleared  our 
ship,  I  set  forward  in  order  to  see  what  was  become 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  311 

of  her;  but  the  floods  were  so  great,  and  the  ways 
were  so  bad,  I  could  not  without  some  danger  get  to 
her  that  night ;  but  next  morning  set  out  from  Joseph 
Gamble's,  and  to  my  admiration,  from  the  top  of  a 
hill  on  which  a  house  was  blown  flat  to  the  ground 
during  the  storm,  I  saw  our  ship  at  anchor,  having 
rode  out  the  storm,  with  one  sloop  by  her,  for  which 
cause  my  soul  was  humbly  thankful. 

On  the  17th  of  the  said  month,  with  some  more 
than  ordinary  fatigue,  we  got  up  our  anchor  and  took 
in  our  boat,  and  got  our  passengers  and  provisions  on 
board,  the  sea  breaking  high  on  the  shore,  so  that 
several  of  our  people  and  our  boat  were  in  jeopardy 
of  being  lost ;  but  at  length  we  set  sail,  and  having 
sailed  slowly  about  six  or  seven  miles,  we  met  with  a 
sloop  which  had  lost  her  mast  in  the  storm,  and  next 
morning  met  two  large  London  ships,  which  had  put 
out  to  sea,  not  venturing  to  ride  it  out. 

We  had  fine  pleasant  weather  for  several  days  after 
we  left  the  island,  and  on  the  22d  of  the  Sixth 
month,  being  the  First  day  of  the  week,  we  had  a 
meeting  for  the  worship  of  God,  which  was  comfort- 
able and  satisfactory  to  us.  The  4th  and  5th  of  the 
Seventh  month,  we  had  very  fresh  gales  from  the 
north-east  to  the  north,  and  were  near  a  water-spout 
about  a  stone's-throw  off,  which  surprised  some  on 
board,  on  which  I  came  out  of  my  cabin,  and  saw  the 
water  run  up  out  of  the  sea  into  the  cloud,  as  plainly 
as  ever  I  saw  the  water  run  into  the  river,  till  it  filled 
the  cloud  with   blackness,  and  then  it  would  break 


312  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

in  great  quantities  into  the  sea,  which  is  dangerous, 
when  falling  on  vessels. 

The  5th  of  the  month  being  First  day,  we  had  a 
good  religious  meeting  for  divine  worship,  wherein 
our  people  were  earnestly  exhorted  to  a  holy  life,  and 
to  be  earnestly  concerned  for  the  true  faith,  which  is 
in  Christ ;  that  faith  which  works  by  love,  which  is 
the  evidence  of  things  not  visibly  seen,  and  is  mani- 
fest by  works  of  piety  and  virtue.  In  this  voyage  we 
were  twenty-two  days  from  the  island  of  Barbadoes 
to  the  sight  of  Cape  Henry,  in  Virginia,  and  had  a 
pleasant  passage,  in  the  main,  to  Philadelphia,  where, 
in  the  Seventh  month,  was  held  our  Yearly  Meeting, 
at  which  I  had  a  desire  to  be,  my  watery  employment 
having  hindered  my  being  at  one  for  several  years. 
At  this  meeting  I  met  with  my  old  acquaintance  and 
dear  friends,  John  Richardson,  of  Yorkshire,  and 
Paul  Johnson,  of  Dublin,  both  on  a  gospel  visit  to  the 
brethren  and  Friends  in  America.  The  meeting  was 
large,  and  attended  with  divine  grace  and  goodness, 
and  ended  with  thanksgiving  and  praise  to  God  and 
the  Lamb. 

While  our  ship  was  loading,  I  was  at  meetings  at 
Abington,  Germantown,  Fairhill,  and  Frankford,  in 
Philadelphia  county ;  and  at  the  Falls  of  Delaware, 
Buckingham,  Neshaminy,  and  Bristol,  in  Bucks  county. 
I  was  also  at  Burlington,  at  the  marriage  of  William 
Callender,  Jr.,  of  Barbadoes,  with  Catharine  Smith, 
daughter  of  Daniel  and  Mary  Smith,  of  Burlington. 

On  the  16th  of  the  Ninth  month,  I  proceeded  on 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  313 

the  seventh  voyage  to  Barbadoes,  in  the  ship  "  New 
Bristol  Hope,"  having  on  board  several  passengers, 
one  of  whom,  Elizabeth  Martindale,  was  convinced  of 
the  principles  of  truth  on  the  passage,  and  afterwards 
suffered  in  divers  respects,  for  making  profession 
with  us. 

We  had  a  long  passage  down  tne  river,  the  wind 
b?ing  high  and  boisterous.  On  the  22d  of  the  Ninth 
moTith  we  left  the  Capes  of  Delaware,  and  saw  the 
island  of  Barbadoes  on  the  21st  of  the  Tenth  month, 
before  it  was  day,  and  in  the  afternoon  came  to  anchor 
in  the  bay  of  Speight's-town.  In  this  voyage  I  met 
with  a  painful  and  troublesome  accident,  which  hap- 
pened in  a  hard  gale  of  wind :  I  being  to  the  windward, 
and  the  ship  having  a  large  motion,  missed  my  hold, 
was  canted  from  my  place  to  the  other  side  of  the 
vessel,  against  the  edge  of  a  chest,  and  so  bruised  my 
leg  that  I  could  not  do  my  business  as  usual,  which 
was  a  great  hinderance  and  disappointment  to  me.  • 
But  in  about  a  month's  time,  with  the  assistance  of 
some  of  my  friends  there,  I  got  indifferently  through 
it,  and  also  rode  to  Bridgetown  and  had  several 
meetings  there.  I  was  also  at  several  good  and  com- 
fortable meetings  at  Speight's-town,  where  we  had 
one  the  day  we  sailed,  being  the  21st  of  the  Eleventh 
month  ;  and  on  the  sea-shore  parted  with  our  friends 
in  great  love,  and  set  sail,  the  wind  being  north-east, 
so  that  we  could  weather  the  island  of  Martinico  ;  we 
therefore  sailed  along  by  the  islands  of  Dominico  and 
Guadaloupe,  and  had  calms  under  the  islands,  and 
27 


314  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

sometimes  the  eddy  winds  from  the  mountains  or 
high  lands,  would  take  the  sails,  and  carry  the  ship 
round,  which  made  it  tedious.  The  23d  and  24th  we 
passed  by  several  islands,  the  winds  and  weather 
being  fair  and  pleasant.  The  25th  in  the  evening,  it 
began  to  be  hazy  ;  and  in  the  night  we  split  pur  main- 
top-sail, which  cost  us  a  great  deal  of  labor  and  loss 
of  time,  before  we  could  get  it  mended  and  set  again. 
We  had  pretty  fair  weather  about  twenty  days,  until 
we  came  on  our  own  coast  and  into  soundings,  when 
a  hard  gale  of  easterly  wind  springing  up  and  blowing 
on  the  shore,  was  dangerous,  and  we  had  a  long  night 
coming  on ;  but  through  the  favor  of  the  Almighty, 
we  got  off  from  the  land.  In  the  midst  of  the  danger 
of  this  storm,  my  soul  sung  praises  to  the  Lord. 

The  12th  of  the  Twelfth  month  we  had  another 
easterly  storm,  being  in  about  thirty  fathoms  water; 
it  blew  and  rained  very  hard,  and  was  exceedingly 
cold,  and  our  coming  from  a  hot  climate  made  it  more' 
hard  to  bear.  In  this  storm  we  saw  the  lights  which 
the  sailors  call  corposants,  one  of  them  was  exceed- 
ingly bright,  and  sat  about  half  an  hour  on  our  main- 
top-mast head,  plain  to  the  view  of  all  the  ship's 
company,  divers  of  whom  said  they  never  saw  the 
like,  and  I  think  I  never  heard  of  or  saw  the  like 
before. 

The  storm  continued  all  night  till  day,  when  it 
abated ;  and  it  being  the  first  of  the  week,  we  had  a 
comfortable  meeting,  in  which  the  people  on  board 
were  advised  to  get  divine  and  heavenly  learni  jg,  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  315 

not  to  be  fools  in  religion,  or  in  the  things  of  God,  nor 
to  hate  true  knowledge ;  for  if  they  had  all  the  natu- 
ral knowledge  and  brightest  natural  parts  in  the 
world,  they  would  be  but  fools  without  the  true  fear 
of  God,  which  the  wise  King  Solomon  says  is  the 
beginning  of  wisdom. 

The  27th  of  the  month  we  saw  Cape  Henlopen, 
having  been  twenty-seven  days  from  the  island  of 
Barbadoes :  this  was  a  close,  foggy  day,  we  could  see 
but  very  little  before  us,  and  had  like  to  have  been 
aground  on  the  shoals,  which  they  call  the  hen  and 
chickens,  but  went  between  it  and  the  Cape,  in  three 
fathom  water ;  the  wind  blowing  hard  at  south,  we 
went  up  the  bay  by  the  lead,  for  we  could  not  see 
land  ;  and  the  gale  being  so  fresh,  we  got  to  Bombay- 
hook  from  our  Capes,  in  about  six  hours,  which  is 
accounted  twenty  leagues ;  where  we  came  to  anchor, 
and  met  with  abundance  of  ice.  Merciful  was  the 
deliverance  and  preservation  we  met  with  from  the 
hand  of  the  Almighty  in  this  voyage ;  may  we  ever 
gratefully  remember  it !  About  a  league  above  Bom- 
bay-hook, when  the  fog  broke  up,  we  found  ourselves 
close  on  the  Jersey  shore ;  and  the  wind  sprung  up 
at  north-west,  and  obliged  us  to  come  to  an  anchor ; 
whare  the  ice  came  down  upon  us,  which  surprised 
some  of  us  much.  Coming  out  of  so  hot  a  climate, 
into  one  so  severely  cold,  had  a  bad  effect  on  most  of 
our  ship's  company..  I  had  a  sore  fit  of  the  phthisic, 
and  was  at  times  almost  breathless,  and  thought  I 
must  die,  for  I  could  hardly  breathe  or  speak  ;  but  yet 


316  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

I  resolved  as  long  as  I  was  capable  of  reflection,  I 
would  think  of  God  and  my  beloved  Jesus ;  in  which 
thoughts  and  meditations  I  found  some  comfort  and 
consolation.  I  sat  up  for  several  nights,  not  being 
able  to  lie  down  for  want  of  breath ;  and  drank  sage 
tea,  which  was  very  helpful  to  me. 

The  next  day  the  ice  came  down  more  and  more 
upon  us,  and  we  feared  to  put  back,  because  if  we 
had  gotten  aground  in  the  bay,  the  ice  might  have 
demolished  us ;  so  we  took  the  most  convenient  time 
we  could,  and  got  up  our  anchor  with  some  difficulty, 
and  stood  for  Eeedy  Island,  one  of  the  best  harbors 
upon  the  Delaware ;  but  the  wind  and  tide  failing  us, 
we  could  not  get  in ;  and  the  ebb  brought  down  the 
ice  mightily  on  us;  so  that  it  took  away  the  head  of 
our  vessel,  and  cut  her  sides  very  much.  The  next 
tide  we  got  into  the  harbor,  and  lay  close  to  Reedy 
Island,  making  the  ship  fast  on  shore.  While  we  lay 
here,  several  vessels  came  to  us  and  fastened  on  shore 
as  we  did.  The  ice  drove  one  vessel  on  us,  and  broke 
our  spritsail-yard.  Here  I  went  on  shore,  where  the 
people  were  very  kind  to  us,  particularly  the  sheriff 
of  the  county,  John  Gooding,  and  his  wife  and  family. 
I  went  also  to  the  house  of  John  M'Cool,  who  with 
his  wife  were  very  tender  in  their  care  and  love  to- 
wards me ;  bathing  my  swelled  and  benumbed  limbs 
until  the  frost  was  pretty  well  out  of  them.  The 
good  will  and  tender  love  and  care  I  here  met  with, 
affect  my  mind  in  the  noting  of  it :  I  pray  the  Most 
High,  whom  I  love  and  serve,  to  be  their  rewarder. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  317 

I  had  two  meetings  at  our  meeting-house  at  George's 
creek,  where  were  people  of  divers  persuasions,  who 
gave  good  attention.  For  these  meetings  I  was  truly 
thankful ;  for  though  through  the  extreme  cold,  I 
could  hardly  speak  when  on  board,  I  now  spoke 
freely,  much  to  my  admiration,  and  I  believe  to  the 
people's  satisfaction,  more  than  is  proper  for  me  to 
mention  ;  wherefore  I  praise  God.  When  the  weather 
was  a  little  more  open  and  the  ice  gone,  we  sailed  up 
the  river  to  Philadelphia,  where  I  was  joyfully  re- 
ceived by  my  friends ;  and  while  the  vessel  was  re- 
pairing and  fitting  for  another  voyage,  I  was  not 
idle,  but  visited  Friends'  meetings  at  Philadelphia, 
Burlington,  Abington,  Germantown,  Byberry,  Fair- 
hill,  and  Frankford ;  being  sometimes  at  four  or  five 
meetings  a  week.  I  was  also  at  Haddonfield  and 
Evesham  meetings,  in  West  Jersey ;  both  good  and 
comfortable  meetings,  which  will  not  easily  be  for- 
gotten :  for  therein  God  was  graciously  pleased  to 
visit  us  with  his  word  ;  blessed  b%  -his  name  ! 

The  4th  of  the  Third  month  we  again  set  sail  for 
•Speight's-town,  in  Barbadoes;  and  the  6th  of  the 
month,  about  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  left  the 
Capes  of  Delaware.  From  this  time  until  we  got 
sight  of  Barbadoes,  was  twenty-five  days,  which  was 
the  quickest  voyage  I  ever  had  in  this  ship ;  in  which 
time  we  had  three  meetings  for  the  public  worship 
of  Almighty  God,  and  to  me  they  were  beneficial ; 
and  for  God's  goodness,  I  could  do  no  less  than  return 
praise  to  him,  who  alone  is  worthy  forever. 

27  * 


318  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

After  I  had  done  my  business  at  Barbadoes  and 
visited  Friends'  meetings,  on  the  5th  of  the  Fifth 
month  I  sailed  for  South  Carolina,  touched  at  the 
island  of  Christopher's,  and  landed  some  passengers 
there.  From  thence  we  went  to  sea,  and  the  same 
night  had  a  storm,  though  we  suffered  but  little,  the 
wind  being  for  us,  so  that  we  went  before  it,  and  after 
it  was  over,  we  had  a  pleasant  passage  of  about  four- 
teen days  to  the  coast  of  Carolina ;  and  when  we  saw 
the  land,  the  wind  came  against  us,  which  made  some 
of  our  passengers  very  uneasy  ;  but  in  meditating  on 
the  infinite  Being,  I  was  favored  with  inward  com- 
fort and  strong  consolation,  so  that  I  was  humbly 
thankful,  and  praised  God. 

We  were  prevented  by  contrary  winds,  and  a  strong 
current,  from  getting  into  Charleston ;  and  while  we 
were  beating  about  the  coast,  we  met  with  a  vessel, 
which  came  from  thence,  and  gave  us  intelligence 
that  many  people  died  suddenly,  and  that  they  buried 
ten  or  twelve  in  a  day.  Hearing  such  news,  and  the 
wind  being  still  against  us,  our  passengers,  who  in- 
tended for  Carolina,  concluded  to  go  for  Philadelphia  : 
so  we  tacked  about,  and  stood  for  Delaware  bay,  and 
then  we  had  a  fresh  gale  ahead  again  for  several  days, 
and  spending  so  much  time  on  the  coast,  our  water 
was  far  expended,  and  we  agreed  to  come  to  an  allow- 
ance of  it,  a  quart  each  man,  for  twenty-four  hours, 
for  several  days  before  we  get  in.  We  were  about 
five  weeks  on  our  passage  from  Barbadoes  to  Dela- 
ware river. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  319 

Soon  after  our  arrival  at  Philadelphia,  we  got  our 
ship  on  the  ways,  in  order  to  refit  and  sheathe  her,  in 
■which  time  I  travelled  into  several  counties,  and  had 
many  religious  meetings,  in  which  I  had  good  satis- 
faction ;  and  my  old  acquaintance  and  friends  said 
they  rejoiced  to  see  me  again,  after  my  sea-voyages. 
I  was  thankful  in  my  heart  for  the  good  will  of  my 
good  Master,  and  of  my  friends,  in  those  journeys, 
which  was,  and  I  hope  ever  will  be,  better  to  me  than 
choice  silver  or  fine  gold. 

The  winter  setting  in  about  a  month  sooner  than 
usual,  many  vessels  were  detained  from  going  to  sea, 
and  frozen  up ;  and  many  vessels  could  not  come  from 
sea  up  the  river,  so  that  a  great  damp  was  put  on 
trade,  and  the  frost  coming  suddenly,  many  people 
were  taken  with  colds  and  died,  in  both  the  provinces 
of  New  Jersey  and  Pennsylvania.  My  dear  friend 
*and  kind  landlord,  Paul  Preston,  died  about  this  time, 
who  on  his  dying-bed,  said,  "  He  had  no  desire  to 
live  but  to  do  good,  and  that  it  had  been  his  care  to 
keep  a  conscience  void  of  offence  towards  God  and 
to  all  men,  which  now  was  his  comfort."  The  hard 
weather  continuing,  I  found  a  concern  on  my  mind  to 
visit  Friends'  meetings  in  the  county  of  Bucks,  in 
Pennsylvania,  and  the  county  of  Burlington,  in  West 
Jersey ;  and  was  at  above  twenty  meetings  in  about 
twenty  days.  In  this  journey  I  was  favored  with  the 
grace  and  goodness  of  the  divine  hand  to  a  greater 
degree  than  I  was  worthy  of,  though  I  was  sometimes 
exceedingly  poor  in  my  spirit,  and  in  my  own  judg- 


320  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ment,  very  weak  for  service  and  labor,  both  in  body 
and  mind ;  our  meetings,  considering  the  severe  sea- 
son, were  large,  and  I  hope  they  were  to  general 
edification. 

On  the  25th  of  the  Tenth  month,  being  the  reputed 
birthday  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  at  a  little  town 
near  the  Falls,  called  Bordentown,  we  had  a  meeting, 
where  none  had  been  held  before  by  Friends,  in  one 
of  the  houses  newly  built  by  Joseph  Borden,  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  place :  he  entertained  us  lovingly  at 
his  house,  and  generously  offered  ground  for  a  grave- 
yard, and  to  build  a  meeting-house  on,  and  a  hand- 
some sum  of  money  towards  building  it,  though  he 
did  not  make  profession  with  our  Society.  Some 
that  were  at  this  meeting,  who  did  not  profess  with 
us,  came  over  the  creek  on  the  ice  to  Isaac  Horner's, 
in  the  evening,  where  we  had  a  satisfactory  meeting, 
in  which  God  through  Christ  was  glorified.  Daniel 
Stanton,  my  wife's  sister's  son,  accompanied  me  in 
this  journey,  whose  company  and  ministry  were  ac- 
ceptable, both  to  me  and  Friends,  and  we  "had 
meetings  at  the  Falls,  Bristol,  Middletown,  Wright's- 
town,  Bordentown,  Crosswicks,  Mansfield,  Upper  and 
Lower  Springfield,  Mount  Holly,  B,ancocas,  Evesham, 
and  Chester,  and  divers  evening  meetings  at  several 
Friends'  houses.  It  being  a  sickly  time,  I  was  often 
sent  for  to  visit  the  sick,  in  which  visits  we  were 
comforted,  and  God's  holy  name  was  praised. 

On  the  18th  of  the  Eleventh  month  I  was  sent  for 
to  Bristol,  to  visit  En n ion  Williams,  who  was  danger- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  321 

ously  ill,  and  to  Burlington,  to  the  burial  of  Eliza- 
beth, the  wife  of  Jonathan  Wright,  who  was  buried 
from  the  great  meeting-house.  The  meeting  was  very 
large,  she  being  well  beloved  by  her  neighbors  and 
acquaintance,  being  a  woman  much  given  to  hospi- 
tality, and  indeed  many  of  the  Friends  of  Burlington 
have  exceeded  in  that  respect  the  most  that  I  have 
ever  observed  in  my  travels.  She  was  a  pattern  of 
piety,  a  loving,  obliging  wife,  and  a  tender,  careful 
mother,  a  kind  neighbor,  a  loving  and  faithful  friend, 
and  so  continued  to  the  end ;  some  of  her  dying  words 
were,  that  she  desired  her  love  might  be  remembered 
to  all  her  friends,  which  was  done  openly  in  the  said 
meeting,  and  tenderly  affected  many. 

After  I  came  home  I  was  at  the  marriage  of  Wil- 
liam Parker  and  Elizabeth  Gilbert,  at  which  marriage 
was  our  worthy,  ancient  friend,  John  Richardson,  with 
divers  other  European  Friends.  The  meeting  was 
large  and  edifying. 

The  river  still  continuing  frozen  up,  I  had  a  desire 
to  visit  my  friends  and  brethren  in  Chester  county, 
whom  I  had  not  seen  for  some  years ;  and  in  order 
thereto,  in  the  beginning  of  the  Twelfth  month,  I 
with  my  kinsman,  Daniel  Stanton,  set  out  from  Phi- 
ladelphia, and  went  to  Newtown,  where  we  had  a 
meeting  next  day,  being  the  first  of  the  week,  and 
afterwards  an  evening  meeting  at  Evan  Lewis's. 
From  thence  we  went  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  at 
Providence,  on  Third  day  to  Middletown,  Fourth 
day  to  Concord,  Fifth  day  to  Birmingham,  Sixth  day 


322  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

to  London  Grove;  after  which  we  had  an  evening  meet- 
ing at  a  widow's  house ;  from  thence  we  travelled  on 
Seventh  day  to  Nottingham,  and  were  at  a  large 
meeting  there  on  First  day,  and  had  an  evening 
meeting  at  a  Friend's  house,  where  some  persons 
came,  who  had  never  been  at  a  meeting  of  Friends 
before.  On  Second  day  we  had  a  meeting  at  Susque- 
hanna ferry,  to  which  divers  people  came  over  the 
ice,  and  it  was  a  good  opportunity  to  many  of  them. 
Third  day  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  West  Notting- 
ham, and  in  the  evening  at  William  Brown's,  and 
next  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  New  Garden,. and  at 
Michael  Liehtfoot's  house  we  met  with  two  Friends 
from  Ireland,  Mungo  Bewley  and  Samuel  Stephens, 
who  were  now  proceeding  on  their  religious  visit  to 
Friends  in  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  North  Carolina. 
From  thence  I  went  to  visit  my  old  friend  and  ac- 
quaintance, Ellis  Lewis,  who  had  a  desire  to  see  me ; 
and  we  had  an  evening  meeting  in  his  chamber  to 
our  mutual  comfort  and  refreshment.  Next  day  we 
had  a  very  large  meeting  in  the  meeting-house  at 
Kennet;  after  which  we  went  to  Concord  to  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  for  the  county  of  Chester,  and 
were  at  three  meetings  there,  and  likewise  had  three 
evening  meetings  at  Friends'  houses ;  at  which  meet- 
ings we  had  the  company  of  my  kinswoman  Alice 
Alderson,  and  her  companion  Margaret  Coupland, 
who  were  lately  come  from  the  north  of  England  to 
visit  Friends  in  this  and  the  adjacent  provinces. 
We  went  on  Third  day  to  the  General  Meeting  at 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  323 

Providence,  which  was  very  large;  Joshua  Fielding 
and  Ebenezer  Large  were  there;  and  we  had  an 
evening  meeting  at  Rebecca  Minshall's;  and  next 
went  to  Chichester,  where  we  had  a  larger  meeting 
than  I  expected,  considering  the  season;  we  lodged 
at  John  Salkeld's.  On  Fifth  day  we  had  a  good,  open 
meeting  at  Chester,  and  in  th«  evening,  another  at 
Grace  Lloyd's ;  next  day  had  a  meeting  at  Springfield, 
which  I  believe  will  be  remembered  by»some  that 
were  there,  when  we  do  not  see  one  another ;  after- 
wards we  travelled  to  Philadelphia. 

In  the  year  1732,  arrived  Thomas  Penn,  one  of  the 
proprietors  of  Pennsylvania,  and  son  of  the  truly 
honorable  William  Penn,  governor  and  proprietor  of 
this  province.  A  wise  man,  a  good  Christian,  and  a 
mild  governor :  a  great  promoter  of  piety  and  virtue, 
and  of  good  men.    May  this  his  son  walk  in  his  steps  ! 

In  the  First  month  was  our  General  Spring  Meeting, 
at  which  were  several  public  Friends  from  England, 
viz. :  John  Richardson,  Alice  Alderson,  and  Margaret 
Coupland.  The  meeting  was  large  and  edifying,  the 
said  Friends  having  service  therein  to  general  satis- 
faction. 

The  2d  of  the  Second  month  I  proceeded  on  a 
voyage  to  Barbadoes,  it  being  the  first  in  the  "  Snow  " 
Barbadoes  packet,  a  vessel  built  on  purpose  for  me-. 
We  got  to  the  Capes  on  the  evening  of  the  20th  of  the 
Second  month,  and  were  obliged  to  come  to  anchor.  On 
the  21st  we  put  out  to  sea,  but  the  wind  being  against 
us,  and  looking  like  windy  weather,  I  concluded  to  come 


324  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

to  under  our  Cape,  and  wait  for  a  fair  wind :  as  soon 
as  our  "  Snow  "  came  to,  we  got  our  boat  out  and  went 
to  Lewistown ;    and  next  day  being  First  day,  had  a 
meeting  in  the  court-house ;  the  people  were  glad  of  a 
meeting,  and  I  had  a  good  opportunity  with  them. 
After  meeting  I  went  on  board  and  weighed  anchor, 
and  had  a  fair  wind   for   above  a  week.     Near  the 
latitude  of  Bermuda,  we  had  smart  gales  of  wind, 
which  obliged  us  to  carry  our  topsail  double-reefed ; 
and  after  having  been  at  sea  twenty-seven  days  and 
one  night,  in  which  time  we  had  several  meetings,  we 
saw  the  island  of  Barbadoes ;   though  for  the  most 
part  we  had  contrary  winds,  yet  all  was  well,  and 
God  blessed,  who  is  forever  worthy. 

The  20th  of  the  Fourth  month,  having  done  my 
business,  and  also  visited  Friends'  meetings,  we  sailed 
for  Philadelphia ;  and  on  the  25th,  being  First  day, 
we  had  a  seasonable  and  serviceable  meeting,  wherein 
the  Almighty  was  worshipped  and  praised,  and  the 
people  exhorted  to  sobriety  and  temperance.  We  were 
about  twenty  days  from  Barbadoes  to  Philadelphia. 

After  having  stayed  at  home  about  six  weeks,  and 
visited  the  meetings  of  Friends  in  divers  places,  to 
mine  and  their  satisfaction,  on  the  28th  of  the  Sixth 
month  I  proceeded  on  another  voyage  for  the  island 
of  Barbadoes,  and  left  sight  of  our  Capes  on  the  31st. 
The  winds  were  for  the  most  part  contrary,  and  be- 
fore we  got  into  the  trade  wind,  we  met  with  two 
hard  gales  ;  the  last  of  which  was  a  kind  of  hurricane, 
in  which  we  could  carry  no  sail  at  all,  but  let  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  325 

vessel  lie  to  the  mercy  of  the  seas,  or  rather  to  the 
mercy  of  Him  who  made  the  seas  and  all  that  is 
therein,  and  in  the  earth  also.  In  this  storm  we  lost 
a  square  topmast,  and  divers  other  things  belonging 
to  the  vessel ;  but  all  our  people  were  well  and  safe. 
This  voyage  we  had  several  comfortable  religious 
meetings  on  board,  in  which  we  were  exhorted  to 
prepare  for  another  and  better  world,  this  being  so 
very  uncertain  and  momentary,  and  full  of  various 
exercises,  temptations,  and  afflictions. 

I  had  on  board  three  Whitehaven  sailors,  William 
Towerson,  William   Trimble,  and  William  Atkinson, 
and  I  do  not  remember  that  I  heard  any  of  them 
swear  an  oath  during   the  whole   voyage,   which  I 
thought  worthy  to  stand  on  record,  because  it  is  so 
rare  in  sea-faring  men.     About  the  beginning  of  the 
Eighth  month,  being  in  the  latitude  of  Barbadoes,  the 
thoughts  of  leaving  my  family  and  habitation,  and 
many  of  my  loving  relations  and  near  and  dear  friends, 
as  at  divers  other  times  also,  made  me  pensive  and 
sorrowful ;  but  it  being  on  a  principle  of  justice,  and 
sometimes   meeting  with  the  presence  and  goodness 
of  God,  I  was  enabled  to  do  my  affairs  and  business, 
and  forbore  to  appear  sorrowful  as  much  as  I  possibly 
could,  or  to  be  of  a  sad  countenance  in  the  sight  of 
men ;  but  to  Him  who  knows  all  things,  and  sees  in 
secret,  I  poured  out  my  soul  in  all  my  afflictions,  for 
He  only  is  able  to  help  me.     I  met  with  some  who  un- 
truly censured  me,  as  covetous  of  the  things  of  this 
world,  or  to  be  rich  ;   and  that  for  the  sake  of  these 

28 


326  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

outward  things,  I  might  venture  ray  life,  until  I  might 
lose  it.  As  to  my  life,  it  hath  long  been  my  desire  to  be 
ready  to  resign  it,  and  is  so  still ;  and  as  to  those 
outward  things,  so  far  as  I  know,  my  heart  is  clear. 
Food  and  raiment,  and  to  be  clear  and  even  with  the 
world,  having  rather  to  give  than  receive,  is  all  the 
grandeur  I  desire ;  and  if  that  be  not  granted,  I  hope 
to  be  contented  without  it,  and  to  be  thankful.  I 
look  upon  crowns  and  sceptres,  and  all  the  fine  things 
of  this  world,  but  as  trifles,  and  diminutive,  in  com- 
parison of  a  house  and  kingdom  eternal  in  the  heav- 
ens. In  this  voyage,  as  usual,  I  read  in  the  holy 
Scriptures,  and  met  with  strong  consolation  therein, 
especially  in  the  New  Testament;  I  also  read  much  in 
the  works  of  that  eminent  judge  and  good  Christian, 
Matthew  Hale. 

On  the  7th  of  the  Eighth  month  we  arrived  at 
Barbadoes,  stayed  three  weeks  and  one  day,  and  had 
several  religious  meetings.  I  hastened  to  accomplish 
my  affaiis  before  winter,  it  being  a  time  of  the  year 
when  it  is  dangerous  sailing  on  our  coasts.  On  the 
30th  of  the  Eighth  month  we  left  the  island  of  Barba- 
does, bound  to  Philadelphia;  and  on  the  11th  of  the 
Ninth  month  it  pleased  God  to  favor  us  with  a  gra- 
cious opportunity  to  worship  him;  wherein  was  de- 
clared to  the  ship's  company  the  nature  and  advantage 
of  good,  and  the  Fountain  from  whenGe  it  flows ;  also 
the  nature  and  disadvantage  of  evil ;  the  one  springing 
from  God,  and  the  other  proceeding  from  Satan,  or 
the  devil,  who  is  the  root  of  all  evil :  and  that  men 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  327 

might  be  left  without  excuse,  God  hath  sent  the  divine 
and  supernatural  light  of  his  holy  Spirit,  to  show  to 
mortals  what  is  good  and  what  is  evil ;  in  order  that 
they  might  embrace  the  good  and  refuse  the  evil. 

The  21st  of  the  Ninth  month  we  had  a  very  hard 
gale  of  wind  at  north-west,  which  blew  so  hard  that 
we  were  obliged  to  lay  the  ship  to  the  wind ;  for  by 
the  violence  thereof  we  could  not  carry  any  sail, 
and  it  was  so  dark  that  we  could  neither  see  stars 
nor  one  another,  nor  hear  one  another,  without  we 
were  very  near,  the  seas  rising  very  high.  Indeed, 
the  long,  stormy,  and  dark  nights,  were  very  dismal, 
and-  some  of  our  goods  got  loose  in  the  hold.  In  the 
beginning  of  the  night,  about  the  seventh  hour, 
Philip  Kearney,  my  apprentice,  fell  into  the  sea  and 
was  lost,  which  was  a  deep  affliction  to  us. 

The  25th  we  saw  land,  and  next  day  came  to  anch- 
or in  Delaware  bay.  The  loss  of  this  lad  was  a  cause 
that  we  were  not  so  joyful  as  is  usual  for  people  to 
be  when  come  to  the  shore. 

The  latter  end  ofctlie  Tenth  month  I  went  the  third 
voyage,  commander  of  the  Barbadoes  packet  from  Phi- 
ladelphia, bound  to  Barbadoes  :  we  were  towed  through 
the  ice  by  two  boats  from  Thomas  Master's  wharf,  and 
in  two  days  got  to  Reedy  Island;  from  whence  we 
sailed  down  Delaware  bay,  where  we  lay  two  nights, 
the  wind  being  contrary,  and  blowing  hard.  We  left 
our  Capes  in  the  night,  it  being  dangerous  lying  in  the 
bay ;  and  after  being  out  several  days,  had  favorable 
winds  and  pleasant  weather ; .  but  when  we  got  into 


328  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

the  trade  wind,  it  blew  hard  and  mostly  against  us. 
The  first  land  we  saw  was  the  island  of  Christopher's, 
where  we  arrived  in  twenty  days  from  our  Capes ; 
and  the  market  for  provisions  being  at  that  time  bet- 
ter than  any  other  of  those  islands,  and  the  property 
of  the  vessel  mostly  belonging  to  me,  and  the  cargo 
generally  consigned  to  me,  I  disposed  of  part  of  it. 
Here  being  no  meeting  of  our  Society  on  this  island, 
I  had  meetings  on  board  the  vessel  in  the  harbor, 
and  divers  from  the  shore  and  several  masters  of  ves- 
sels came  to  them,  the  Snow  having  large  accommo- 
dations for  such  an  occasion ;  and  so  far  as  I  could 
understand,  the  people  were  generally  satisfied. 

Of  late  times,  and  also  in  this  voyage,  meeting  with 
many  losses  and  crosses,  and  much  affliction  and  va- 
rious exercises,  I  was  ready  to  say  in  my  heart,  Lord, 
why  am  I  thus  afflicted,  now  in  my  declining  years, 
since,  thou  knowest,  I  love  thee  above  all  things,  and 
that  I  would  not  willingly  or  knowingly  offend  thee, 
my  great  and  dear  Lord  ?  It  was  answered,  as  though 
vocally  spoken,  My  only-begotteif  and  beloved  Son, 
who  never  offended  me,  suffered  much  more.  This 
word  being  such  an  evident  truth,  I  begged  patience 
to  go  through  all  my  sufferings  and  afflictions,  so  that 
at  last  I  might  live  with  Christ  in  the  glorious  king- 
dom of  God  forever,  where  I  might  always  bless  and 
praise  his  holy  name. 

Five  or  six  days  after  our  arrival  at  this  island,  a 
vessel  that  came  out  five  or  six  days  before  us,  ar- 
rived, she  meeting  with  the  same  boisterous  weather 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  329 

as  we  did,  yet  we  made  our  passage  ten  or  eleven  days 
sooner.  Several  other  vessels  bound  to  Barbadoes, 
put  in  here,  through  these  contrary  winds ;  and  when 
I  saw  others  in  the  like  circumstances  with  us,  I  was 
the  more  thankful  for  being  preserved  safe,  and  so 
soon  to  this  place ;  yet  it  was  a  considerable  loss 
and  trial  not  to  get  to  Barbadoes,  the  island  I  was 
bound  to. 

At  this  island  a  person  whose  name  was  Galloway, 
a  man  of  a  great  estate,  hearing  that  I  kept  meetings 
on  board  the  vessel,  kindly  invited  me  to  have  a 
meeting  at  his  house,  and  said  he  would  give  notice 
of  it  to  divers  of  the  gentlemen,  as  he  called  them,  of 
the  island,  telling  $ne  that  I  should  be  welcome  to  his 
house,  which  was  much  more  convenient  than  the 
vessel.  I  was  not  very  forward  to  accept  of  my  friend 
Galloway's  kind  offer,  being  sensible  of  my  own  weak- 
ness and  inward  poverty,  so  that  I  made  several 
excuses  to  evade  it ;  but  he  obviated  them  all.  First; 
I  asked  him,"  If  he  could  bear  the  reproach  of  having 
a  Quakers'  meeting  at  his  house  ? "  He  answered, 
"  Yes  ;  there  are  good  and  bad  of  all  societies."  Sec- 
ondly; I  asked,  "  If  his  wife  would  like  it,  or  be  willing 
that  a  meeting  should  be  in  the  house  ?  "  He  said, 
"  She  desired  it,  and  would  be  very  willing."  Third- 
ly ;  I  asked,  "  If  he  thought  he  could  sit  in  silence  ?  " 
He  told  me,  "  He  believed  he  could."  I  then  told 
him,  "  I  was  obliged  to  him  for  his  kind  and  friendly 
offer,  and  God  willing,  I  intended  to  come,  and  tell 
my  people  of  the  ship's  company  to  come  also,  and 
28* 


330  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

desired*  him  to  give  notice  of  it;"  which  he  did  :  aud 
there  was  a  large,  satisfactory  meeting.     Oh  !  may 
the  Almighty  sanctify  it  to  some  souls,  is  my  desire. 
He  and  his  wife  were  very  courteous  to  me,  and 
invited  many  of  his  rich  friends  and  relations.     His 
wife's  father  was  a  judge  in  this  island,  of  good  repute. 
People  of  several  professions  were  at  this  meeting,  and 
many  expressed  their  being  glad  of  it.     An  attorney- 
at-law  said,  "  He  was  thankful  for  the  words  he  heard 
that  day,  and  if  I  would  stay  with  them,  he  would 
always  come  to  our  meetings."     One  Judge  Mills  was 
at  this  meeting,  and  very  kindly  invited  me  to  his 
house.     Some  meeting  me  next  day,  said  "They  were 
sorry  they  were   not   there."     The   mistress  of  the 
house  told  come  of  the  people,  who  were  persons  of 
note,  "  That  they  should  remember  what  they  had 
heard ; "  and  spoke  it  with  a  religious  concern,  as  it 
seemed  to  me.     When  I  went  to  this  meeting  I  was 
very  poor,  and  in  much  fear,  speaking  with  a  great 
concern  oo  my  mind  for  the  people's  salvation,  and 
that  God,  through  Christ,  might  be  glorified. 

After  this  meeting  it  was  as  though  a  voice  said 
unto  me,  "  How  dost  thou  know  but  for  this  cause, 
and  for  this  meeting,  thou  art  brought  to  this  island, 
though  against  thy  will?"  The  people  told  me  they« 
did  not  remember  that  there  ever  was  a  meeting  of 
Friends  before  on  this  island.  The  meeting  had  this 
effect,  that  the  people  had  a  better  opinion  of  our 
Society  than  they  had  before.  The  subject  I  spoke  cf 
was,  the  excellency  of  the  gospel  dispensation  above 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  331 

that  of  the  law,  in  that  it  brought  us  to  the  law, 
went  through  the  law,  and  was  above  the  law,  and 
so  far  from  destroying  the  law,  fulfilled  it;  for  proof 
of  which,  they  were  referred  to  Christ's  most  excel- 
lent sermon,  which  he  preached  on  the  mount. 

From  the  island  of  Christopher's,  I  purposed,  God 
willing,  for  Barbadoes ;  which  I  apprehended  would 
be  a  troublesome  voyage,  it  being  about  one  hundred 
leagues  to  windward,  and  a  strong  current  against 
us.  On  the  19th  of  the  -Twelfth  month  we  sailed 
towards  Barbadoes ;  and  the  wind  being  ahead  and 
blowing  hard,  we  tarried  two  nights  at  the  island  of 
Lucia,  where  we  took  in  wood  and  water :  the  people 
here  are  mostly  French,  and  were  very  civil  to  us. 

The  21st  we  put  out  again  to  sea ;  but  the  wind 
and  current  being  against  us,  obliged  us  to  go  into 
the  harbor  from  whence  we  came,  and  tarry  for  an 
opportunity  more  favorable.  While  we  were  in  this 
harbor,  which  is  a  very  good  one,  several  vessels  came 
in  on  the  like  occasion  ;  and  a  vessel  that  left  Chris- 
topher's about  three  hours  after  us,  came  here  three 
days  since  we  did. 

"We  went  out  again  in  order  to  proceed  to  Bar- 
badoes, but  as  before,  the  current  was  so  strong 
against  us,  and  the  wind  also,  that  we  could  not  get 
forward  on  our  way ;  wherefore  we  put  back  again 
to  Christopher's,  and  by  the  way  called  at  Antigua, 
where  I  had  an  open,  satisfactory  meeting,  for  which 
I  was  truly  thankful,  and  so  were  some  not  of  our 


332  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Society,  of  whom  there  were  divers,  and  some  who 
had  not  been  at  our  meetings  before. 

The  next  day  we  arrived  again  at  Christopher's,  and 
there  unloaded  the  remainder  of  our  cargo,  though 
much  against  my  mind.  After  having  sold  the  most 
of  our  cargo  at  Basseterre,  we  went  to  Sandy  point, 
and  there  sold  the  remainder,  and  took  in  our  load- 
ing for  Philadelphia. 

In  loading  our  vessel,  Judge  Brown  was  my  very 
good  friend,  and  helpful  to  me  therein,  for  which  I 
think  myself  much  obliged  to  him. 

While  we  lay  here  I  had  a  meeting  on  board  our 
vessel,  to  which  came  five  masters  of  vessels.  It  was 
a  good  meeting,  though  I  spoke  to  them  in  much 
misery  and  pain,  having  very  angry,  painful  sores  on 
my  legs,  occasioned  by  a  fall  in  getting  out  of  the 
boat ;  the  seas  running  high  through  the  violence  of 
the  waves,  I  fell  across  the  boat,  and  broke  both  my 
shins  very  grievously. 

The  31st  of  the  First  month,  1734,  we  had  another 
meeting  on  board  our  vessel,  to  which  came  several 
from  other  vessels,  and  some  from  the  shore,  among 
whom  was  a  young  baronet  and  his  host,  a  tavern- 
keeper,  who  at  first  behaved  airily,  but  after  some  time 
he  was  more  sober,  and  seemed  respectful  at  parting^ 

I  was  invited  to  have  a  meeting  next  First  day  on 
board  the  ship  "King  George,"  a  large  vessel;  the 
master  told  me  his  cabin  was  large,  and  would  accom- 
modate many  more  than  mine ;  but  we  did  not  stay 
so  long  as  till  the  First  day. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  333 

After  this  meeting  was  over,  the  master  of  the 
large  ship  came  on  board,  and  said  he  was  sorry  he 
had  not  come  sooner,  so  as  to  have  had  the  opportu- 
nity to  be  at  the  meeting. 

From  Christopher's  we  set  sail  for  the  island  of 
Anguilla,  and  had  a  meeting  at  the  governor's  house 
on  a  First  day.  We  stayed  at  Anguilla  three  days, 
and  there  took  on  board  some  bags  of  cotton  on 
freight,  and  sailed  from  thence  the  10th  of  the  Second 
month.  The  governor  of  this  island,  whose  name 
was  George  Leonard,  told  me  that  he  should  live  and 
die  in  our  principles,  saving  that  he  must  defend  his 
people.  But  he  did  not  consider  that  his  defence 
might  destroy  both  him  and  them,  and  that  such 
defence  was  directly  contrary  to  Christ's  doctrine 
and  practice. 

Not  far  from  Anguilla  is  an  island  they  call  St. 
John's,  the  inhabitants  of  which  are  Dutch :  the  ne- 
groes there  lately  rose  and  took  the  island,  killed  the 
people,  spoiled  their  plantations,  and  burnt  their 
houses.  I  lodged  at  the  house  of  a  person  who  went 
to  subdue  those  negroes,  who  were  too  strong  for  him 
and  his  company,  and  the  negroes  killed  divers  of 
them,  and  among  them  killed  this  man's  two  sons, 
for  which  their  mother  and  sisters  were  in  bitter 
.  mourning,  when  I  was  at  their  house.  The  thoughts 
•  of  the  bloodshed  and  vast  destruction  which  war 
makes  in  the  world,  caused  me  to  cry  in  my  heart, 
"How  long,  0  Lord!  thou  holy,  just,  and  true  God, 


334  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

will  it  be  till  nation  lift  up  the  sword  no  more  against 
nation,  and  the  people  learn  war  no  more." 

When  I  came  home  from  this  voyage,  which  was 
the  30th  of  the  Second  month,  I  met  with  the  sor- 
rowful news  of  the  death  of  my  only  son,  George,  a 
dear  youth,  who  was  but  ten  years  and  seven  days 
old  when  he  died,  and  as  he  was  much  beloved  for 
the  sweetness  of  his  nature  and  disposition,  so  he  was 
greatly  lamented  by  many  who  were  acquainted  with 
him.  I  have  this  account  to  leave  concerning  him, 
not  so  much  that  he  was  my  son,  as  to  excite  other 
youths  to  serve  and  fear  the  Lord,  and  to  love  him 
above  all,  and  that  they  may  remember  their  Creator 
in  their  youthful  days,  that  it  may  be  well  with  them 
in  this  world,  and  when  time  here  to  them  shall  be 
no  more. 

He  was  a  lad  much  inclined  to  read  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures and  other  good  books,  especially  religious  ones ; 
and  was  always  obliging,  obedient,  and  loving  to  his 
parents,  and  ready  and  willing  to  do  any  service  he 
could  to  his  friends;  any  little  services  in  his  power 
he  cheerfully  performed  and  took  delight  in ;  he  was 
very  diligent  and  ready  to  go  to  religious  meetings^ 
and  an  entire  lover  of  religious  people.  In  his  sick- 
ness he  behaved  himself  more  like  a  wise  man  than 
a  youth  of  that  age,  bearing  his  pain  and  sickness 
with  a  great  deal  of  patience.  I  being  in  another 
part  of  the  world,  he  would  gladly  have  seen  me,  but 
said  he  should  never  see  me  any  more,  and  therefore 
desired  his  mother  to  remember  his  dear  love  to  his 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  335 

father,  and  tell  him  he  was  gone  to  his  heavenly 
Father.  He  was  very  fervent  in  prayer  in  the  time  ' 
of  his  sickness,  and  prayed  that  God  would  preserve 
his  people  all  the  world  over.  One  time,  when  in 
great  misery  and  pain,  he  prayed  to  Christ,  saying, 
"  Sweet  Jesus  !  blessed  Jesus  !  give  me  patience  to  bear 
my  misery  and  pain,  for  my  misery  is  greater  than  I 
can  well  bear  !  Oh  !  come,  sweet  Jesus,  why  art  thou 
so  long  coming  ?  I  had  rather  be  with  thee  than  in 
the  finest  place  in  all  the  world."  Many  other  reli- 
gious expressions  he  spoke  on  his  death-bed,  greatly 
to  the  satisfaction  and  melting  of  his  friends  and  re- 
lations  who  came  to  see  him.  One  day  he  said,  "  My 
misery  and  pain  are  very  great,  but  what  would  it  be 
if  the  wrath  of  God  was  in  my  soul  ?  "  He  believing 
in  the  love  of  God  in  Christ,  made  him  desirous  of 
being  with  him,  and  seeing  the  joy  that  was  set  before 
him,  thought  the  time  long  to  be  with  Jesus,  as  know- 
ing that  then  he  would  he  out  of  all  misery  and  pain. 
His  heart  was  full  of  love  to  his  relations,  acquaint- 
ance, and  friends,  who  came  to  see  him  in  his  illness ; 
and  full  of  tender  sweetness  and  divine  love,  he  took 
his  last  leave  of  them,  which  greatly  affected  many. 
This  was  one  of  the  most  pinching  exercises  I  ever 
met  with ;  but  as  he  said  in  his  illness,  so  I  now 
write :  The  wisdom  of  the  Lord  is  wonderful.  One 
time  in  this  dear  child's  sickness  he  said,  "  Oh !  the 
good  hand  of  the  Lord  help  me,  give  me  ease,  and 
conduct  me  safely,"  i.  e.,  to  God's  kingdom,  uttering 
this  verse : 


336  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Sweet  Jesus,  give  me  ease,  for  mercy  I  do  crave ; 
And  if  thou  'It  give  me  ease,  then  mercy  I  shall  have. 

Although  this  was  a  great  exercise  and  deep  afflic- 
tion to  me,  in  losing  this  promising  youth,  and  my 
only  son,  yet  considering  that  he  went  off  the  stage 
of  life  like  a  solid,  good  Christian,  it  was  made  toler- 
ably easy  to  me ;  for  he  departed  this  life  in  much 
brightness  and  sweetness,  and  more  like  an  old  Chris- 
tian than  a  youth  of  ten  years  of  age. 

It  was  usual  for  me  to  advise  his  mother  not  to  set 
her  affections  too  much  upon  him,  thinking  he  was 
too  good  to  live  long  in  this  world,  and  too  ripe  for 
heaven,  to  stay  long  on  earth,  in  this  world  of  sorrow 
and  misery.  This  dear  and  tender  youth,  when  read- 
ing, to  which  he  was  much  inclined,  if  he  met  with 
anything  that  affected  him,  either  in  the  Sacred  Writ- 
ings or  other  good  authors,  would  write  it  down,  and 
get  it  by  heart.  He  was  more  than  common  affection- 
ately concerned  for  his  mother,  doing  whatever  he 
could  freely  and  cheerfully  to  serve  her,  and  told  her 
not  to  do  some  things  which  he  thought  too  much  for 
her,  saying,  Mother,  let  me  do  it ;  if  1  were  a  man, 
thou  should  not  do  anything  at  all ;  meaning  as  to 
labor.  She  being  affected  with  his  filial  love  and  care 
for  her  in  his  father's  absence,  it  caused  her  some- 
times to  turn  about  and  weep.  I  thought  a  little 
memorandum  of  the  life  and  death  of  this  religious 
lad  was  worthy  of  recording,  in  order  to  stir  up  other 
youth  to  obedience  and  love  to  their  parents,  who 
carefully  and  tenderly  nourished  and  brought  them 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  337 

up ;  and  also  to  love  and  obey  God,  from  whom  they 
have  their  life,  breath,  and  being ;  and  to  believe  in 
Christ,  who  died  for  them ;  who  is  the  glorious  light 
of  all  the  nations  of  them  that  are  saved,  and  walk 
therein,  according  to  Sacred  Writ. 

He  got  several  pieces  by  heart  out  of  the  Bible 
and  other  religious  writings,  first  writing  them  with 
his  pen. 

One  which  much  affected  my  mind,  was  die  fifteenth 
verse  of  the  fifty-seventh  chapter  of  that  evangelical 
prophet  Isaiah  :  "  For  thus  saith  the  high  and  lofty 
One,  that  inhabiteth  eternity,  whose  name  is  holy,  I 
dwell  in  the  high  and  holy  place ;  with  him  also  that 
is  of  a  contrite  and  humble  spirit,  to  revive  the  spirit 
of  the  humble,  and  to  revive  the  heart  of  the  con- 
trite ones." 

I  have  now  one  only  daughter,  Rebecca,  left  me, 
out  of  'twelve  children,  except  my  wife's  son  and 
daughter. 

After  this  long  and  tedious  voyage,  which  ended  in 
the  Second  month,  I  stayed  but  a  few  weeks  at  home, 
and  loaded  with  wheat  and  flour  for  Dublin,  in  Ire- 
land ;  Alice  Alderson,  my  kinswoman,  and  Margaret 
Coupland,  were  passengers.  We  had  a  very  comfort- 
able, pleasant  passage,  fair  winds  and  weather,  and 
good  religious  meetings.  I  think  it  was  the  most 
pleasant  time  that  ever  I  crossed  the  seas.  About 
Nantucket  we  saw  several  sloops  whaling,  and  spoke 
with  one,  by  which  opportunity  we  inquired  of  the 

welfare  of  our  friends  on  that  island,  and  sent  our 
29 


338  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

lovss  to  them.  Not  many  miles  from  the  sloops  we 
saw  a  shoal  of  whales ;  I  counted  eight  in  a  row  lying 
side  by  side  in  the  water. 

We  were  four  weeks  and  six  days  from  our  Capes 
to  Cape  Clear,  in  Ireland :  coming  near  the  land,  we 
met  with  fishing-boats,  and  got  plenty  of  choice  fresh 
fish ;  in  the  evening  we  got  into  Kinsale,  took  in  a 
pilot  for  Dublin,  and  sailed  next  day  from  Kinsale 
and  were  out  one  night  at  sea,  got  next  day  to  Dublin 
bay,  where  we  went  ashore,  and  were  kindly  enter- 
tained by  our  friends.  We  were  at  several  large 
meetings  in  that  great  city,  which  some  of  us,  while 
we  live,  at  times  I  believe,  shall  remember.  My  stay 
in  Ireland  was  about  seven  weeks,  in  which  time  I 
visited  several  meetings  in  the  country,  and  at  Eden- 
derry,  the  Moate  of  Greenough,  Carlow,  Ballytore,  etc. 

We  set  sail  from  Dublin  with  a  fair  wind,  in  com- 
pany with  the  ship  "Neptune,"  and  our  friends  sent 
many  prayers  and  good  wishes  after  us.  We  were 
about  forty  persons,  sailors,  passengers,  and  servants, 
on  board,  and  had  a  good  passage,  all  things  consid- 
ered. We  had  religious  meetings  on  board,  and  were 
on  our  passage,  from  the  sight  of  Ireland  to  the  sight 
of  our  land,  five  weeks  and  six  days :  it  was  the 
quickest  voyage  I  ever  made  to  Europe  and  back 
again  to  Philadelphia. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  339 


CHAPTER    XL 

1734-1737. 

Voyage  <o  the  West  Indies  and  Great  Britain  —  Religious  Services 
in  Barbadoes  and  on  Board  Ship — Shot  at  —  From  Barbadoes 
to  London  —  Debts  all  Paid  —  May  Drummond  —  Religious  Ser- 
vices in  England  —  Return  Home  —  Visit  in  New  Jersey  —  Rise 
and  Design  of  Meetings  for  Discipline  —  Meteors  —  Necessity 
of  Preparation  for  Death  —  Travels  in  Long  Island,  New  York, 
and  New  England  —  Reasons  for  Women  Preaching — Return 
Home  —  Service  near  Home. 

When  I  came  home,  finding  all  well,  I  was  thankful 
to  God,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  for  all  his  mercies 
and  the  many  preservations  wherewithal  he  had  fa- 
vored me. 

After  being  a  little  at  home  and  at  several  meet- 
ings, and  not  being  clear  of  the  world,  in  order  to  it, 
I  undertook  another  voyage  to  Barbadoes,  and  from 
thence  intending  for  London,  in  order  to  settle  my 
affairs  there,  which  I  intended  some  years  before,  but 
losses  and  disappointments  hindered  me.  On  the  7th 
of  the  Tenth  month  I  proceeded  on  a  fifth  voyage  in 
the  Barbadoes  packet,  and  left  Philadelphia,  and  was 
at  a  meeting  the  next  day  at  Chester,  being  First  day, 
and  in  the  evening  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  Grace 
Lloyd's,  where  I  met  with  my  dear  friend,  Joseph 


340  THE    JOURNAL   OP 

Gill,  who  had  good  service  in  said  meeting;  we  re- 
joiced in  Christ  to  see  each  other.  We  left  Chester 
the  9th,  and  s;ot  that  tide  down  the  river  to  Newcas- 
tie,  and  after  visiting  the  few  Friends  there,  we  set 
sail  the  12th  in  the  morning ;  the  wind  being  high, 
and  the  weather  very  sharp,  freezing  hard,  our  sails 
were  so  frozen  that  we  had  hard  work  to  get  the 
vessel  under  sail.  The  13th  day  weighed  anchor  and 
sailed  down  the  bay,  and  the  14th  were  clear  of  the 
Capes.  The  First  day  following  we  had  a  good,  sea- 
sonable meeting  for  the  worship  and  service  of  God ; 
in  which,  as  I  was  treating  of  disobedience  to  parents, 
and  disobedience  to  Almighty  God,  our  great  Parent 
and  heavenly  Father,  a  youth  who  was  a  passenger 
in  the  vessel,  went  out  hastily  and  abruptly,  as  I  was 
showing  the  ungratefulness  of  the  first,  much  more 
of  the  last.  When  I  asked  the  reason  of  his  going 
out,  he  said  it  was  because  he  could  not  forbear  cry- 
ing ;  and  thinking  I  spoke  so  because  of  him,  he  said 
he  could  not  hear  me  any  more.  Afterwards  I  under- 
stood that  he  was  a  youth  who  was  very  ungrateful 
and  disobedient  to  his  parents ;  the  which  I  knew  not 
of,  for  his  mother  told  me,  and  himself  also,  that  he 
went  to  sea  on  account  of  his  health.  I  thought  his 
going  out  so  hastily  was  occasioned  by  some  indisposi- 
tion of  body.;  but  it  was,  as  he  gave  us  to  understand, 
through  resenting  illy  what  was  spoken,  and  by  taking 
it  to  himself.  I  have  sometimes  observed,  that  per- 
sons have  shown  a  restlessness  and  uneasiness  in  pub- 
lic assemblies  for  worship,  sometimes  going  ouj,  etc., 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  341 

so  that  they  have  thereby  exposed  themselves  to  the 
notice  of  the  people,  as  persons  guilty  of  the  matter 
publicly  reprehended,  or  spoken  against;  just  as  though 
they  were  the  only  persons  in  the  assembly  who  were 
guilty  of  the  evil  then  taken  notice  of:  such  public 
restlessness  is  a  great  folly  and  weakness,  besides  so 
openly  and  publicly  exposing  themselves. 

After  we  left  our  Capes,  we  had  hard  gales  of  wind, 
which  lasted  several  days.  The  28th  being  First  day, 
we  had  a  meeting  for  divine  worship,  in  which  God 
was  praised  and  his  holy  name  exalted,  for  his  un- 
speakable grace,  in  sending  his  only-begotten  Son,  a 
divine  light  to  enlighten  the  inhabitants  of  the  world. 
We  had  stormy  weather  and  contrary  winds  for  some 
weeks,  so  that  our  passage  was  tedious ;  and  of  fifteen 
times  going  to  Barbadoes,  I  found  this  the  most  diffi- 
cult ;  and  the  prospect  was  very  discouraging  of 
making  a  losing  voyage,  by  the  great  expense  I  ex- 
pected for  repairing  and  refitting  the  vessel,  etc.,  so 
that  I  began  to  despair  of  accomplishing  my  design 
of  discharging  my  debts  in  Great  Britain,  and  the 
thoughts  and  consideration  of  losing  so  much  of  the 
company  and  conversation  of  my  wife,  relations,  and 
friends,  and  spending  so  much  precious  time,  which 
cannot  be  recalled,  to  so  little  purpose,  lay  heavy  on 
my  mind ;  yet  by  the  grace  of  God  my  mind  was 
supported,  and  my  resolutions  confirmed  to  praise 
the  Almighty  for  every  dispensation  of  his  providence. 

The  23d  of  the  Eleventh  month  we  saw  the  island 

of  Barbadoes  at  the  breaking  of  the  day,  having  been 
29* 


342  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

from  the  Capes  of  Delaware  forty  days  and  one  night; 
and  were  truly  thankful,  that  at  last,  we,  through 
divine  favor,  got  to  our  desired  port ;  where  we  were 
lovingly  received  by  our  friends  at  Speight's-town, 
who  were  joyful  at  our  arrival.  From  thence  I  went 
to  Bridgetown,  and  to  the  governor's,  in  order  to 
enter  our  vessel;  but  staying  a  little  too  late,  the 
governor,  who  was  the  Lord  Howe,  was  come  from 
his  house  on  his  way  to  Bridgetown,  with  his  coach 
and  six,  and  his  attendants ;  but  seeing  me,  he  court- 
eously stopped  his  coach,  and  did  my  business  as  he 
sat  therein ;  and  though  I  made  an  essay  towards  an 
excuse,  he  would  not  admit  of  it,  saying,  "  There  is  no 
need  of  any  excuse."  He  was  indeed  an  extraordina- 
rily courteous  man  :  he  died  soon  after,  much  la- 
mented, as  he  was  much  beloved. 

My  stay  at  Barbadoes  this  time  was  the  longest  I 
ever  made,  believing  it  to  be  the  last  time  I  should  go 
there,  and  that  I  should  see  them  no  more.  My  so 
saying  troubled  some  of  them ;  but  growing  in  years, 
being  then  turned  of  threescore,  I  thought  it  would 
be  too  hard  for  me  to  undertake  such  another  voyage ; 
therefore  I  was  at  all  the  meetings  of  our  Frier  ds  on 
the  island. 

Here  I  met  with  Moses  Aldridge,  a  Friend  from 
New  England,  who  came  on  a  religious  visit  to  Friends 
of  this  island,  with  whom  we  had  divers  good  meet- 
ings, his  service  in  preaching  the  gospel  being  edifying 
and  acceptable ;  we  were  together  at  the  marriage  of 
Andrew  Drury  and  Mary  Lewis,  after  which  I  was  ill 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  343 

of  a  fever  several  days ;  this  distemper  was  very  much 
among  the  people,  and  nearly  twenty  masters  of  ves- 
sels and  some  hundreds  of  people  died.     Though  I 
had  been  at  Barbadoes  many  times,  I  never  had  so 
much  illness  there  before.    Moses  Aldridge  and  several 
Friends  of  us  had  a  large  meeting  at  John  Gibson's, 
where  were  many  people  not  of  our  persuasion,  who 
were  generally  sober.     I  recommended  charity  to  the 
people,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  the  apostle  Paul; 
as  the  most  excellent  gift,  and  advised  them  to  show 
it  forth  to  all  people  of  all  professions,  and  also  to 
their  negroes,  telling  them  that  some  of  the  gentry 
of  this  island  had  observed  to  me,  that  the  more  kind 
they  were  to  their  slaves,  the  better  their  business 
was  done  for  it.     I  observed  also,  that  I  had  been  at 
some  places  where  I  had  watched  to  hear  some  ex- 
pressions that  might  look  like  charity ;  but  in  many 
houses,  and  some  of  note,  I  could  not  hear  any  Chris- 
tian-like expressions  to  their  slaves  or  negroes,  and 
that  with  sorrow  I  had  seen  a  great  deal  of  tyranny 
and  cruelty,  the  which  I  dissuaded  them  from.     This 
doctrine  so  exasperated  some,  that  they  made  a  dis- 
turbance in  the  meeting :  one  of  these  persons  meet- 
ing me  on  the  king's  highway,  shot  off  his  fowling- 
piece  at  me,  being  loaded  with  small  shot,  ten  of 
which  made  marks  on  me,  and  several  drew  blood ; 
by  which  unfriendly  action  the  man  got  a  great-  deal 
of  disgrace,  it  being  highly  resented  by  all  whc  were 
acquainted  with   me.     The  president,  of  the  inland 
looked  on  it  as  a  very  base  action,  as  did  also  some 


•  * 


844  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

of  the  justices  and  the  gentry,  also  the  vestry  and 
several  clergymen  and  lawyers.  One  of  the  lawyers 
told  me  I  should  not  be  just  to  the  country,  myself, 
or  the  man,  if  I  did  not  prosecute  him ;  another  pro- 
fessing the  law,  said  he  ought  to  be  abandoned  by  all 
mankind  if  he  shot  at  me  with  design;  many  were 
for  prosecuting  him,  for  the  people  generally  took 
notice  of  it  with  abhorrence ;  but  he  sending  for  me, 
and  signifying  he  would  not  do  so  again,  I  forgave 
him ;  and  I  pray  it  may  not  be  laid  to  his  charge  in 
the  great  day,  and  that  he  may  be  forgiven,  he  being 
ignorant  of  the  love  I  had  and  have  for  him  and  all 
men,  even  for  those  whom  I  know  to  be  mine  enemies. 
It  would  be  too  great  a  scandal  and  reproach  to 
expose  his  name  and  station  in  the  world.  Some 
thought  I  did  well  in  forgiving  him,  and  some  thought 
I  did  ill  in  it:  but  I  spoke  my  mind  to  him  alone 
freely,  in  which  I  had  satisfaction  and  peace. 

Intending  my  vessel  for  London,  I  made  my  chief 
mate,  Ralph  Loftus,  master  of  her,  not  knowing 
whether  I  might  proceed  on  the  voyage,  it  being  a 
very  sickly  time :  afterwards  my  mate  had  the  dis- 
temper also,  but  I  bless  God,  we  both  recovered  a 
good  state  of  health. 

It  was  during  this  voyage  that  my  friends  in  Bar- 
badoes  published  a  little  piece  I  wrote  at  sea,  which  I 
called  "Free  thoughts  communicated  to  freethinkers;" 
dona  in  order  to  promote  thinking  on  the  name  and 
works  of  God ;  which  had,  as  far  as  I  understand,  a 
good  acceptance   among  the  people.     The   principal 


»  • 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  345 

clergyman  on  the  island  thanked  me  for  it,  and  said 
"  There  was  need  enough  of  it;  "  tut  I  could  be  glad 
another,  or  a  better  hand,  had  done  something  of 
that  nature,  and  more  at  large.     If  this  may  be  of  . 
any  service,  I  shall  be  thankful. 

I  had  a  meeting  at  John  Lewis's,  in  Joseph's  parish, 
at  which  were  divers  not  of  our  profession,  and  some 
who  were  never  at  any  of  our  religious  meetings  be- 
fore ;  who  said  they-  were  glad  they  were  there  that 
day ;  it  being  a  satisfactory  open  time. 

After  I  had  visited  my  friends  and  settled  my 
affairs  as  well  as  I  could,  and  loaded  our  vessel  with 
sugars  for  London,  being  willing  once  more  to  see  my 
native  land,  and  settle  my  affairs  there  and  see  my 
relations  and  friends,  on  the  6th  of  the  Third  month 
we  set  sail  from  Barbadoes  for  London,  and  had 
pleasant  weather.  The  16th  being  First  day,  we  had 
a  religious  meeting  for  the  worship  of  God,  in  which 
I  was  concerned  to  speak  on  the  government  of  the 
tongue,  having  on  board  several  hands  who  did  not 
sail  with  us  before  that  voyage,  and  were  much  used 
to  swearing.  After  that  meeting  we  had  not  so  many 
bad  words  and  oaths  as  before.  'I  was  thankful  in 
my  soul  to  the  Lord,  and  blessed  his  holy  name,  for 
his  goodness  to  us  that  day;  and  in  the  night  my 
sleep  was  very  sweet  and  comfortable,  being  sensible 
of  the  love  of  God  in  the  visions  of  the  night ;  so  that 
I  witnessed  the  fulfilling  of  the  prophecy  of  Joel, 
chapter  ii.  28. 

The  23d  being  the  First  day  of  the  week,  wi  had 


S46  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

a  meeting,  in  which  the  grace  of  God  that  comes  by 
Jesus  Christ,  was  magnified,  and  a  blessing  begged 
for  all  who  love  and  serve  God,  throughout  the  world, 
on  sea  and  land ;  also  a  tender  petition  was  put  up  to 
Almighty  God,  that  as  he  was  graciously  pleased  to 
look  down  on  those  eight  persons  in  Noah's  ark,  so 
he  would  please  to  look  upon  us  in  our  vessel ;  and 
that  as  by  his  divine  providence  they  safely  landed 
on  the  earth,  so  we,  if  it  were  his  will,  might  safely 
land  at  our  desired  port,  yet  not  that  our  wills,  but 
his  will  might  be  done :  which  supplication  was  put 
up  with  great  submission.  Both  day  and  night  I 
often  sought  the  Lord,  and  was  much  alone  in  this 
voyage.-  I  read  the  Old  and  New  Testament  almost 
through,  and  much  of  it  divers  times  over ;  my  time 
being  mostly  taken  up  in  reading,  writing,  and  medi- 
tating, in  which,  at  times,  my  heart  was  broken  into 
tenderness,  and  I  was  humbly  thankful  to  God  that 
my  heart  was  not  hard  ;  he  having  promised  to  visit 
the  contrite  ones  ;  which  he  sometimes  fulfilled,  to  my 
unspeakable  satisfaction  ;  glory  to  his  holy  name  for- 
ever. My  heart  was  also  thankful  that  God  was 
pleased  to  visit  me  in  my  watery  travels  and  troubles, 
and  in  my  separation  from  my  family  and  friends, 
who  are  much  nearer  and  more  valuable  to  me  than 
all  riches,  and  it  was  a  great  cross  to  my  natural  incli- 
nation to  part  with  them. 

The  8th  of  the  Fourth  month  being  the  First  day 
of  the  week,  we  had  a  meeting,  in  which  acquaintance 
with  God  was  exhorted  to,  showing  the  benefit  of  it, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  347 

and  of  loving  him  above  all  things,  and  delighting  in 
his  law  and  meditating  therein  day  and  night.  The 
19th  in  the  morning,  a  strong  northerly  wind  came 
up  and  blew  so  hard  that  we  could  not  carry  sail,  but 
lay  to  the  wind,  under  our  mizzen,  which  was  split  or 
torn  with  the  violence  of  the  wind ;  and  the  sea  rose 
high,  so  that  it  came  into  the  windows  of  our  great 
cabin.  It  was  very  rugged  for  the  time,  and  though 
it  was  mid-summer,  was  so  cold  that  we  were  obliged 
to  clothe  ourselves  as  in  winter.  The  22d  being  First 
day,  we  had  a  comfortable  meeting  after  the  storm, 
wherein  the  great  benefit  of  true  religion  was  a  little 
opened  to  our  small  company,  and  the  Lord,  Most 
High,  was  praised  for  our  deliverance  and  preserva- 
tion. The  26th  we  sounded,  and  found  about  seventy 
fathom  depth  of  water.  The  29th  we  were  abreast 
the  Isle  of  Wight.  From  the  time  we  left  the  island 
of  Barbadoes  to  the  time  we  found  ground,  was  seven 
weeks.  Thus  through  many  perils  and  dangers  we 
came  to  Great  Britain  ;  for  all  which  mercies  and 
providences,  let  my  soul  bless  and  praise  the  holy 
name  and  mighty  power  of  the  Most  High. 

It  was  now  a  time  of  a  very  great  pressing  for  sea- 
men, and  several  men-of-war's  boats  came  on  board 
to  press  our  sailors ;  but  they  had  prepared  a  place 
in  the  vessel  to  hide  themselves,  and  the  men-of-war's 
people  could  not  find  them.  One  lieutenant  with  his 
men  came  on  board,  and  seeing  us  weak-handed,  the 
best  of  our  hands  being  hid,  he  asked  me  if  I  had  any 
more  hands  on  board  ?     I  made  him  litt?e  answer. 


348  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

He  then  said  lie  was  sure  I  could  not  bring  the  ship 
from  Barbadoes  without  hands.  I  told  him  sailors 
were  hard  to  be  got  in  Barbadoes,  either  for  love  or 
money,  to  go  for  London,  for  fear  of  being  pressed, 
and  I  was  obliged  to  take  any  I  could  get.  He  said 
it  was  in  vain  to  talk  much,  but  if  I  would  say  I  had 
no  more  hands  on  board,  he  would  be  satisfied  ;  he 
having  a  belief  that  I  would  speak  the  truth,  though 
he  never  saw  me  before ;  and  he  said  if  I  would  say 
there  were  no  more*  men  on  board,  he  would  go  away, 
for  then  he  had  no  more  business  there :  but  I  made 
him  no  answer,  not  daring  to  tell  a  lie.  Now  I  know 
that  there  are  men  on  board,  said  he ;  so  he  command- 
ed his  men  to  search  the  ship  to  her  keel.  So  they 
stripped  and  made  a  narrow  search,  and  sweated  and 
fretted,  but  could  not  find  them.  He  being  civil,  I 
made  him  when  he  went  away,  a  small  present.  He 
wished  me  well ;  and  so  I  carried  my  people  safely  up 
to  London. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  Fifth  month  I  came  to 
London,  and  lodged  at  the  house  of  Simeon  "Warner, 
in  South wark,  and  at  several  kind  friends  and  rela- 
tions in  and  about  London.  The  tender  and  broth- 
erly respect  which  I  received  in  some  of  those  families 
in  my  sickness,  will  not,  I  believe,  ever  be  forgotten 
while  I  am  in  this  world  ;  and  I  hope  that  He  whom 
I  serve  with  my  might  and  strength,  will  be  their  re- 
ward. When  in  the  country  about  London,  my  resi- 
dence was  mostly  at  Edmonton,  at  my  dear  brother 
George  Chalkley's,  who, with  my  sister  and  cousins,were 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  349 

a  comfort  to  me  both  in  health  and  sickness.  In  Lon- 
don I  was  often  sorely  afflicted  with  the  phthisic  and 
asthma,  which  sometimes  made  me  very  uneasy ;  and 
though  my  affairs  required  me  to  be  often  in  the  city, 
yet  I  was  obliged  to  return  to  the  country  for  air, 
and  both  in  health  and  sickness  was  kindly  and 
affectionately  received  and  tended  by  my  dear  broth- 
er, sister,  and  all  my  loving  cousins.  The  memory 
thereof  is  cordial  to  me  in  penning  these  lines.  It 
may  be  truly  said,  we  were  very  joyful  in  meeting 
one  another,  and  our  sorrow  in  parting  is  not  easy  to 
be  expressed. 

In  London  I  sold  my  vessel,  the  Barbadoes  packet, 
and  settled  all  my  affairs  to  general  satisfaction,  so 
far  as  I  know,  on  which  account  I  had  labored  for 
several  years,  and  was  joyful  that  Providence  had 
favored  me  so  far  as  to  see  it  accomplished :  so  that 
now  I  wholly  intend  to  leave  trading  by  sea,  which  I 
never  inclined  to,  only  on  a  principle  of  justice;  for  I 
was  fully  resolved  in  my  mind  that  my  creditors 
should  be  paid  their  just  debts,  though  I  might  lose 
my  life  in  the  pursuit  of  it.  I  never  was  extravagant 
or  indolent,  but  met  with  many  casualties  by  fire 
and  water ;  by  the  latter  I  lost  many  hundreds  of 
pounds  for  several  years  together.  I  would  persuade 
all  in  their  undertakings  for  a  livelihood  in  this  world 
to  be  sure  to  have  an  eye  to  divine  Providence,  who 
will  not  suffer  us,  if  we  do  well,  nor  so  much  as  a 
spairow,  to  fall  to  the  ground,  without  He  think  it 

30 


350  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

best  for  us,  He  knowing  what  is  for  our  good  better 
than  we  know  ourselves. 

When  I  had  paid  my  debts  and  in  a  good  degree 
settled  my  affairs,  I  visited  several  of  my  relations  at 
Kingsworth,  Staines,  Guilford,  etc. ;  had  a  meeting 
at  Market  street,  and  one  at  Guilford,  another  at 
Staines,  and  one  at  Longford ;  in  all  which  I  had  some 
service,  and  my  relations  were  joyful  to  see  me  once 
more,  not  having  expected  to  see  me  again.  When  I 
had  visited  meetings  in  and  about  London,  I  went 
towards  the  north,  in  order  to  visit  some  places  where 
I  had  never  been,  and  some  that  I  had  been  at.  The 
number  of  meetings  and  the  names  of  the  places  where 
I  had  meetings,  while  I  was  this  time  in  England, 
are  as  follows.  While  I  was  in  and  about  London,  I 
was  at  eighteen  meetings  in  that  great  city,  at  two 
of  which  I  was  with  May  Drummond,  a  virtuous 
young  woman,  who  hath  a  good  gift  in  the  ministry, 
and  had  a  gracious  opportunity  of  declaring  her  con- 
vincement  to  our  noble  Queen  Caroline,  our  great 
King  George's  royal  consort.  The  kind  treatment 
and  good  reception  she  had  with  the  Queen,  spread 
so  in  city  and  country,  that  many  thousands  flocked 
to  hear  her,  and  more  of  the  gentry  and  nobility  than 
ever  were  known  before  at  our  meetings.  I  had  some 
private  conversation  with  her,  which  put  me  in  mind 
of  the  apostle's  exhortation,  where  he  adviseth  the 
primitive  Christians,  that  their  words  be  few  and 
savory,  and  that  they  should  be  seasoned  with  grace, 
for   this   great   reason,  that   they  might  administer 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  351 

grace  to  the  hearers ;  and  truly  I  thought  there  was 
the  influence  of  grace  in  her  conduct  and  conversa- 
tion, whom  I  pray  God  to  preserve  in  Christ  to  the  end. 
I  had  a  meeting'  at  the  house  of  my  brother  with 
his  scholars  at  Edmonton,  and  also  with  his  family 
and  others  of  our  relations,  which  some  of  us  may 
have  occasion  to  remember.  We  had  seven  meetings 
at  Tottenham  at  sundry  times,  and  four  at  Hartford  ; 
I  travelled  to  Hitchin,  from  thence  to  Baldock,  and 
then  to  Stadtfold  and  Ashwell.  The  7th  of  the 
Eighth  month  being  the  Third  day  of  the  week,  to 
Royston,  Fourth  to  Ives,  Fifth  to  Huntington,  Sixth 
to  Ramsey.  First  day  being  the  12th  of  the  month, 
we  had  a  meeting  at  a  small  town  named  Finding, 
and  the  same  day  in  the  evening  had  a  large  meeting 
at  Wellingborough,  in  Northamptonshire.  The  14th 
being  the  Third  day  of  the  week,  we  had  a  meeting 
at  Northampton,  Fourth  day  at  Braybrook,  Fifth  day 
at  Okeham,  the  county  town  of  Rutland,  Sixth  day 
at  Long  Clackson  ;  and  First  day  being  the  19th  of 
the  month,  I  was  at  a  large  and  open  meeting  at  Not- 
tingham, where  were  many  people  not  of  our  Society, 
who  were  very  sober ;  Third  day  had  a  meeting  at 
Fairnsfield,  Fourth  day  at  Mansfield,  and  Fifth  at  Ches- 
terfield, in  Derbyshire ;  from  whence  we  went  over  the 
moors  and  mountains.  Benjamin  Bangs,  the  younger, 
accompanied  me,  who  came  from  Stockport  to  be  my 
companion  and  guide  thither  :  his  company  was  pleas- 
ant and  profitable  to  me  in  that  hilly  country,  through 
which  we  travelled  to  Stockport,  where  we  had  three 


352  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

meetings,  and  where  I  met  with  my  dear,  worthy 
old  friend,  Benjamin  Bangs.  When  we  met  we  em- 
braced each  other  in  Christian  love,  having  not  seen 
one  another  for  many  years,  with  whom  I  stayed  fonr 
days.  This  worthy  Friend,  though  upwards  of  four- 
score years  of  age,  went  with  me  to  Manchester, 
where  we  had  two  meetings,  and  then  I  went  back 
with  him  to  his  house.  He  was  a  man  of  extraordi- 
nary character,  and  well  beloved,  being  a  pillar  in 
the  church  of  Christ. 

From  Stockport  I  went  to  Macclesfield,  to  Joseph 
Hobson's,  where  I  met  with  Joshua  Toft  and  his 
brother,  two  choice  ministers  of  Jesus  Christ,  of  whose 
company  I  was  glad,  though  at  that  time  I  was  very 
low  and  poor  in  my  spirit.  We  had  two  meetings 
here  on  the  2d  of  the  Ninth  month,  being  First  day. 
I  was  at  a  large  meeting  at  Morley,  and  in  the  even- 
ing at  the  meeting  at  John  Leigh's,  at  both  which 
there  were  many  people  not  of  our  Society,  who  were 
very  still,  and  some  were  broken  into  tenderness. 
From  Morley  I  went  to  Penketh,  where  we  had  a  large, 
solid  meeting,  and  had  an  evening  meeting  at  War- 
rington, where  I  met  with  many  brethren  and  sisters, 
who  sincerely  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  whom 
I  was  refreshed,  particularly  at  Gilbert  Thompson's 
and  Lawrence  Calen's.  From  Warrington  I  went  to 
Langtree,  Preston,  and  Clifton,  where  I  had  meetings, 
and  so  went  on  to  Lancaster.  I  went  to  Wray,  in 
order  to  visit  my  old  ship-mate,  Elizabeth  Rawlinson, 
whose  son,  Hutton  Eawlinson,  went  with  me.     When 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  353 

I  came  to  Wray,  they  desired  me  to  have  a  meeting 
with  them  ;  and  though  there  was  little  notice,  yet 
we  had  a  large  meeting,  the  neighbors  coming  in,  and 
Christ  was  preached  to  them  freely ;  this  was  the  10th 
in  the  evening,  and  Second  day  of  the  week.     Third 
Jay  I  went  to  Kendal,  and  in  the  evening,  with  very 
little  notice,  we  met  with  several  hundreds  of  people, 
Friends  and  others.     It  was  a  surprise  to  me,  I  ex- 
pecting but  a  few,  because  of  the  shortness  of  time ; 
but  I  acknowledge  it  was  a  pleasant  surprise  to  see 
the  willingness  and  readiness  of  the  people  to  hear 
the  gospel  preached.     Friends  here  are  a  great  people, 
and  well  beloved  and  esteemed  by  their  neighbors, 
and  live  in  much  love  and  unity.     The  Fourth  day 
many  Friends  came  to  see  me  from  divers  parts,  I 
giving  them  some  notice  that   I   designed   to  go   no 
further  northward,  and  hastening  to  get  ready  to  go 
to  America,  betimes  in  the  spring ;  having  been  from 
home  nearly  two  years  ;  wherefore  many  of  my  friends, 
some  of  whom  had  been  at  sea  with  me,  met  me  here. 
We  rejoiced  to  see  one  another,  and  after  a  large  and 
good  meeting,  took  a  solemn  farewell,  many  of  us  not 
expecting  to  see  each  other  any  more. 

In  this  journey  and  travel  I  endeavored  to  be,  as 
much  as  I  well  could,  at  such  meetings  as  I  had  never 
been  at  before,  and  because  I  was  short  in  this  visit 
to  my  friends,  some  were  not  so  well  pleased ;  but  my 
call  was  most  to  the  American  shore,  where  I  thought 
my  service  mostly  lay,  and  in  order  to  return,  I  set 
my  face  toward  London,  and  expected  to  meet  with 
30* 


354  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

my  friend  and  brother  in  Christ,  Isaac  Pickerell,  in 

Cheshire,  who  designed  to  accompany  me  towards  the 
south.  I  went  from  Kendal  to  Lancaster,  and  was 
at  Penketh  on  a  First  day,  being  the  16th  of  the 
Ninth  month,  which  meeting  was  large  and  solid. 
We  then  went  to  Sutton,  where  I  met  with  Isaac 
Pickerell,  also  with  our  ancient  friend,  James  Dickin- 
son, and  Christopher  Wilson,  a  choice  young  man,  his 
fellow-laborer.  We  had  meetings  at  Sutton,  New- 
town, Chester,  and  Shrewsbury.  James  Dickinson 
was  about  fourscore  years  of  age,  and  yet  held  out  in 
travel  to  admiration,  and  was  lively  in  preaching  the 
gospel :  he  is  a  worthy  elder,  of  whose  company  I 
was  joyful :  at  Shrewsbury  we  parted,  and  Isaac  and 
I  went  to  Colebrook,  where,  on  a  First  day,  we  had  a 
solid,  good  meeting.  From  thence  we  went  to  Stour- 
bridge, and  after  having  a  meeting  there  and  at 
Broomsgrove,  went  on  to  Worcester,  where  we  had 
divers  large  and  solemn  meetings  :  we  lodged  at  John 
Corbin's,  who  was  very  kind  to  us,  as  also  were  his 
hopeful  children ;  and  in  great  love  and  unity  we  both 
met  and  parted.  From  Worcester  we  went  to  Eves- 
ham, where  we  had  two  meetings,  and  from  thence 
to  Oddington,  and  had  a  large  evening  meeting ;  the 
people,  who  were  most]y  of  other  societies,  were  very 
sober,  and  gave  good  attention.  On  Fifth  day  we 
had  a  meeting  at  Chalbury,  and  a  tender  time  with 
a  Friend  at  Wallingford,  who  was  very  weak,  and 
expressed  his  satisfaction  and  thankfulness  for  the 
visit;  his  children  were  very  tenderly  affected  also. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  355 

The  good  Lord,  the  great  physician  of  value,  was  with 
us,  and  his  grace  was  at  that  time  shed  abroad  in  our 
hearts.  From  Wallingford  we  went  to  Beading, 
where  my  good  companion  and  fellow-traveller,  Isaac 
Pickerell,  dwelt;  we  were  lovingly  received  by  our 
friends.  I  stayed  here  and  rested  several  days,  and 
had  several  satisfactory  meetings  with  Friends,  they 
being  a  large  people,  living  much  in  love  and  good 
will.  Here  Samuel  Thornton,  of  Edmonton,  my  kins- 
man, and  Isaac  Brown,  my  wife's  son,  came  from 
London  to  see  me.  From  Reading,  Isaac  Pickerell 
accompanied  me  to  Maidenhead  and  to  Jordan's,  at 
both  which  places  we  had  meetings.  The  house  and 
burying-ground  at  Jordan's  are  kept  in  the  neatest 
order  of  any  I  ever  saw,  in  which  ground  lie  the 
bones  of  our  worthy  Friends,  Isaac  Penington,  Wil- 
liam Penn,  Thomas  Ellwood,  George  Bowles,  and  their 
wives,  as  I  remember.  This  meeting  is  often,  if  not 
mostly,  kept  in  silence ;  yet  several  have  been  con- 
vinced there,  through  the  grace  of  God  and  the 
power  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  which  Christ  said  he  would 
send  to  the  true  believers,  and  that  should  abide  with 
the  Church  forever :  here  my  beloved  friend  Isaac 
and  I  parted  in  much  love,  having  good  desires  for 
each  other's  welfare.  From  Jordan's  I  went  to  my 
brother's,  at  Edmonton,  where  I  rested  a  few  days 
from  travelling. 

Then  a  concern  came  upon  me.  to  visit  Friends' 
meetings  in  the  county  of  Essex,  and  I  went  from  my 
brother's  to  Hartford^,  and  had  several  meetings  there, 


356  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  one  at  Ware,  which  was  very  large ;  after  which 
I  went  to  Hartford  again,  having  relations  there. 
Thence  I  went  to  Bishopstafford  and  Stebbing,  where 
I  had  meetings ;  and  at  Braintree,  Coggeshall,  and 
Halstead;  and  there  were  abundance  of  people  at 
Colne,  at  an  evening  meeting  we  had,  where  I  met 
with  my  worthy  friend  Joshua  Toft,  and  his  fellow- 
traveller,  Joseph  Hobson,  we  rejoicing  to  see  each 
other.  From  Colne  I  Went  to  Cockfield,  which  was 
a  very  small  meeting;  then  to  Colchester,  where  I 
stayed  several  days  and  went  to  several  meetings,  as 
at  Kockstead  and  Manningtree,  and  then  back  to 
Colchester.  On  First  day  I  had  a  large  meeting  in 
the  afternoon,  and  after  it  Friends  were  for  appoint- 
ing meetings  for  me  to  be  at  in  the  ensuing  week, 
and  desired  to  know  my  mind  therein.  After  a  little 
pause  I  told  them  I  found  a  full  stop  in  my  mind 
from  going  to  any  more  meetings  at  present,  and  that 
I  would  wait  some  days  with  them  in  the  city,  till  I 
saw  further.  While  we  were  sitting  together,  a  letter 
came  to  me  from  London,  that  a  Friend,  Stephen 
Payton,  had  set  up  my  name  on  the  Exchange,  in 
London,  as  master  of  the  Barbadoes  packet,  which 
was  the  vessel  bought  of  me  by  John  Agar,  who  sold 
her  to  said  Stephen  Payton,  who  intended  her  for 
Philadelphia,  and  next  morning  a  messenger  was  sent 
for  me  from  London :  thus  having  such  a  favorable 
opportunity  of  returning  home,  I  embraced  it,  and 
went  on  Second  day  to  Witham,  where  I  again  met 
with  Joshua  Toft  and  Joseph  Hobson  at  meeting ;  then 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  357 

to  Plaistow,  where  we  had  a  meeting,  and  then  to 
Bromley,  near  Bow,  at  Joseph  Olive's,  where  we  had 
a  meeting  with  his  people  and  servants,  who  were 
many.  I  thought  it  was  a  good  time,  a  divine  hand 
of  love  was  reached  out  to  the  young  people,  and  they 
were  advised  to  give  up  their  hearts  to  their  Creator 
in  their  youthful  days ;  several  scores  of  people  belong 
to  this  family.  After  this  meeting  I  went  to  London 
and  prepared  for  the  voyage.  When  our  vessel  was 
loaded,  which  was  chiefly  by  Israel  Pemberton,  the 
younger,  who  went  with  us,  as  did  our  owner,  Stephen 
Payton,  and  Isaac  Brown,  and  four  of  my  kinsfolks, 
whose  names  are  Freeman,  with  several  other  passen- 
gers; in  the  latter  end  of  the  Twelfth  month  my 
brother  and  his  eldest  daughter,  Rebecca,  with  her 
husband,  Samuel  Thornton,  accompanied  me  to  Graves- 
end,  where  our  parting  with  them  was  very  solemn 
and  sorrowful,  we  not  expecting  to  see  one  another 
more. 

From  Gravesend  we  sailed  the  3d  of  the  First 
month  to  the  Downs,  and  from  thence  down  the  Brit- 
ish channel,  and  were  at  sea  about  nine  weeks,  which 
we  thought  long,  having  many  contrary  winds ;  but 
after  we  came  on  shore,  we  understood  many  vessels 
were  much  longer.  At  sea  we  had  meetings,  some  of 
which  were  to  my  satisfaction.  I  came  very  unwell 
on  board ;  but  when  at  sea,  I  mended ;  for  which 
favor  I  am  truly  thankful.  We  landed  all  well  and 
in  health  at  Philadelphia,  in  the  Third  month,  1736, 
where  we  were  received  with  joy  by  our  relations, 


358  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

friends,  and  acquaintance ;  it  was  much  the  more  so, 
because  they  had  heard  I  was  likely  to  die.  At  Lon- 
don I  had  a  sore  fit  of  the  asthma  or  phthisic,  three 
persons  sitting  up  with  me  for  three  nights,  who  I 
thought  would  see  my  end ;  but  the  time  was  not  yet 
come  that  I  must  die,  though  indeed  death  was  no 
terror  to  me,  hoping  my  change  would  be  much  for 
the  better ;  for  then,  I  hoped  I  should  be  forever  with 
Him  whom  I  loved  better  than  life. 

After  I  had  been  at  home  some  time,  I  went  to 
Salem,  and  from  thence  to  Cohansey,  and  in  my 
return  was  at  Woodbury  creek,  and  had  meetings  at 
each  place :  and  soon  after  I  visited  the  meetings  of 
Friends  at  Bristol,  Burlington,  Trenton,  and  Borden- 
town,  and  in  my  return  home,  at  Middletown.  By 
the  way  I  called  to  see  my  ancient  friends,  Joseph 
Kirkbride  and  the  widow  Warder ;  she  was  ninety-two 
years  of  age,  and  perfect  in  her  understanding;  she 
said  she  did  not  know  for  what  end  the  Almighty 
should  prolong  her  days  to  that  age;  but  she  was 
satisfied  in  his  will.  * 

In  the  Fifth  month  I  visited  the  meetings  of 
Friends  at  Haddonfield,  in  West  Jersey,  and  at  New- 
ton, Haverford,  Germantown,  Abington,  North  Wales, 
and  Plymouth,  and  was  several  times  at  Philadelphia 
and  Frankford. 

After  many  exercises  and  large  travels  by  sea  and 
land,  my  brethren  and  others  not  of  our  Society  ex- 
pressed their  gladness  to  see  me,  rejoicing  that  I  was 
likely  to  spend  my  time  more  on  the  land,  hoping  that 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  359 

I  would  go  no  more  to  sea ;  the  which,  God  willing,  I 
determined,  having  so  settled  my  affairs  that  I  could 
stay  on  shore  ;  and  am  truly  and  humbly  thankful  to 
the  Almighty,  that  he  by  his  good  hand  of  providence, 
in  his  due  time,  had  favored  and  helped  me  so  to  do. 

In  the  Sixth  and  Seventh  months  I  again  visited  the 
meetings  of  Friends  at  Bristol,  Burlington,  Byberry, 
Abington,  Horsham,  Germantown,  Fairhill,  and  many 
times  at  Frankford  and  Philadelphia. 

In  the  Eighth  month  I  was  at  two  meetings  at 
Cohansey,  and  one  at  Alloway's  creek,  where  I  met 
with  Edward  Tyler,  a  Friend  on  a  religious  visit  from 
Europe,  and  John  Sykes,  a  Friend  living  near  Cross- 
wicks,  in  Jersey,  where  we  had  an  open  satisfactory 
meeting ;  from  whence  I  went  to  Salem,  it  being  their 
week-day  meeting,  which  was  large  and  to  the  edifi- 
cation of  many.  I  was  also  at  Pilesgrove  on  Fifth 
day,  and  at  Woodbury  creek  on  Sixth  day  :  in  which 
last  meeting  the  obedient  son  was  encouraged,  and 
the  disobedient  earnestly  called  home  to  his  heavenly 
Father's  house.  In  this  journey  I  had  John  Bring- 
hurst,  the  younger,  for  my  fellow-traveller ;  his  father 
being  unwilling  that  I  should  go  the  journey  alone. 

After  I  had  been  at  home  some  time,  I,  with  some 
others,  went  to  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Shrewsbury, 
in  East  Jersey,  which  was  on  the  23d  of  the  Eighth 
month ;  it  was  exceedingly  large,  and  the  quietest  and 
most  settled  meeting  that  ever  I  was  at  there ;  and 
many  divine  truths  were  deliveied  therein.  From 
thence  I  went  to  Manesquan,  and  had  a  meeting,  then 


360  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

to  Middletown,  where  we  had  a  meeting  in  the  Baptist 
meeting-house,  divers  of  whom  were  there,  and  glad 
of  the  meeting;  thence  to  Shrewsbury,  and  had  a 
meeting  on  First  day,  being  the  30th  of  the  month : 
from  whence,  on  my  return  home,  had  meetings  at 
Moses  Robin's,  Allentown,  Crosswicks,  Bordentown, 
and  Mansfield;  some  of  which  were  large,  open,  and 
satisfactory.  After  the  last  meeting,  we  went  to 
Burlington,  and  next  day  came  home,  accompanied 
by  Richard  Smith,  Jr.  After 'being  a  few  days  at 
home,  I  was  sent  for  to  Chester,  to  the  marriage  of 
John  Lee,  (who  had  sailed  several  voyages  with  me ;) 
next  day  I  went  to  the  week-day  meeting  at  Provi- 
dence, and  on  First  day  was  at  Springfield ;  from 
whence  I  returned  home. 

The  23d  of  the  Ninth  month,  I  left  home  again, 
and  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  from  thence  with  Dan- 
iel Stanton,  John  Easton,  and  John  Proud,  Jr.,  (the 
two  latter  of  Rhode  Island,)  to  Radnor  and  Goshen 
meetings,  and  by  the  coldness  of  the  weather,  and 
crossing  several  creeks,  I  got  a  cold,  which  settled  on 
my  lungs,  so  that,  in  conversation,  I  was  hoarse;  but 
I  was  helped  in  meetings  to  admiration ;  for  which  I 
was  truly  thankful  to  the  Almighty,  the  great  helper 
of  his  servants  and  children.  We  had  a  meeting  with 
an  ancient  Friend,  who  said  she  had  above  two  hun- 
dred who  called  her  mother,  being  her  children  by 
blood  and  marriage  to  the  fourth  generation  :  we  took 
our  leave  of  her,  as  not  expecting  to  see  each  other 
more,  and  parted  in  tenderness  of  heart.     One  of  this 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  361 

Friend's  grandsons  went  with  us  to  Concord,  where, 
on  a  First  day,  we  had  a  very  large  meeting,  and  an 
evening  meeting  at  Moses  Mendenhall's ;  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  week  we  had  meetings  at  Birmingham, 
Ken  net,  New  Garden,  Marlborough,  and  the  Monthly 
Meeting  at  Center,  on  the  Seventh  day  following,  at 
which  were  many  young  people;  for  whose  sakes  I 
was  drawn,  in  my  exercise  of  the  ministry,  to  show 
the  rise  and  design  of  our  meetings  of  discipline. 

First,  That  the  same  Power  which  gathered  us  to 
be  a  people,  inclined  our  elders  to  establish  those 
meetings,  and  settle  them  in  most  parts  where  we 
were  gathered  and  had  meetings  for  the  worship 
of  God. 

Second ;  They  were  advised  to  do  the  business  of 
them,  and  speak  to  their  affairs,  in  the  sense  of  the 
same  power,  spirit,  and  wisdom  of  Christ,  which,  as 
it  had  raised  us,  would,  as  we  kept  to  it,  preserve  us 
to  be  a  people  to  the  praise  of  God's  holy  name. 

Third ;  They  were  advised,  in  doing  the  business, 
not  to  run  out  into  many  unnecessary  words,  which 
might  lead  to  contention,  and  spending  much  time  to 
little  purpose ;  religious  affairs  being  done  best  in  a 
meek  and  quiet  spirit,  which  is  of  great  price  with  the 
Lord  ;  great  evils  having  arisen  in  many  ages,  through 
hot  and  long  contentions  about  religion.  It  is  also 
good  to  avoid,  in  matters  of  difference,  respect  of  per- 
sons, on  account  of  being  acquainted  or  related  so  as 
to  be  swayed  thereby  from  justice. 

Fourth ;  They  were  advised  to  be  very  carefiu  of 
31  „ 


v. 


362  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

giving  any  just  occasion  of  offence  to  any,  to  Jew  or 
Gentile,  to  Indian  or  Negro ;  for  "  Woe  to  them," 
says  our  Saviour,  "  by  whom  offences  come ;  "  and  if 
any  will  take  offence  when  none  is  justly  given,  it  is 
the  best  way  to  be  patient,  and  take  our  Saviour  for 
our  example,  who  got  the  victory  through  suffering  ; 
a  safe  way,  and  glorious  in  the  end.  And  as  to  few 
words,  the  apostle  says,  "Let  your  words  be  few  and 
savory,  seasoned  with  grace,  that  they  may  admin- 
ister grace  to  the  hearers." 

Fifth ;  I  was  engaged  for  the  sake  of  the  youth  of 
both  sexes,  to  show  them  that  a  material  part  of  the 
service  of  these  meetings,  is  that  care  be  taken  there- 
in, to  see  that  persons  are  clear  of  prior  engagements 
or  entanglements,  in  relation  to  marriage,  and  that 
they  have  the  consent  of  parents,  or  parties  concerned, 
as  guardians,  etc.,  and  also,  that  they,  and  all  who 
belong  to  our  Society,  walk  orderly  in  conversation ; 
otherwise  they  could  not  be  in  unity  with  us,  or  owned 
by  us,  as  a  society  of  religious  people.  We  do  not  own 
scandalous  persons,  or  admit  them  to  be  married 
amongst  us,  without  acknowledging  their  faults  and 
promising  amendment  for  the  future,  through  divine 
grace  and  assistance.  Also  in  those  meetings  the 
widows  and  fatherless  are  taken  care  of,  that  they  may 
be  supported  and  visited,  and  youths  put  out  appren- 
tices to  learn  trades,  etc. 

This  meeting  concluded  with  supplication  for  the 
rising  generation,  and  for  the  king  and  all  his  sub- 
jects, and  with  thanksgiving  and  praises  to  the  sacred 
name  of  Him  who  lives  forever. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  363 

After  the  above-said  meeting  we  went  to  Wilming- 
ton, a  newly  settled  town  on  Christiana  creek,  which 
I  believe  will  be  a  flourishing  place,  if  the  inhabitants 
take  care  to  live  in  the  fear  of  God,  and  seek  his  glory 
and  the  riches  of  his  kingdom,  preferring  it  to  any 
thing  of  this  world.  We  had  a  pretty  large  meeting 
here,  considering  the  season,  for  it  was  very  cold, 
which  was  held  in  a  large  house  of  William  Shipley's ; 
but  they  are  making  provision  for  a  meeting-house. 
From  this  town  we  went  to  Newark,  and  had  a  com- 
fortable meeting  at  George  Robinson's  in  the  evening, 
and  next  morning  set  out  for  Philadelphia. 

As  it  was  now  the  winter  season,  and  having  been 
divers  times  at  this  season  of  the  year  in  the  warm 
climates,  it  was  harder  for  me  to  bear  the  cold  than 
usual,  so  that  I  stayed  at  and  about  home  pretty 
much,  being  often  at  Philadelphia,  Frankford,  Ger- 
mantown,  and  Abington  meetings. 

The  latter  end  of  the  Tenth  month,  on  a  First  day 
of  the  week,  I  was  at  a  large,  open  meeting  at  Darby, 
in  Chester  county.  After  meeting  I  rode  home,  about 
fourteen  miles ;  but  it  was  so  cold  that  my  limbs  were 
much  benumbed,  and  were  not  fully  recovered  in 
more  than  a  week.  Coming  home,  between  Schuyl- 
kill river  and  Philadelphia,  we  observed  the  largest 
meteor  that  ever  I  saw,  though  I  had  seen  many  by 
sea  and  land ;  this  was  in  sight  almost  a  minute,  as 
nearly  as  I  could  guess ;  it  was  a  mighty  stream,  like 
a  flame  of  fire,  leaving,  as  it  were,  sparks  of  fire  behind 
it  as  it  went  along,  and  then  settled  like  a  star,  and 


364  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

disappeared.  A  few  days  after  this  meteor  there 
appeared  in  the  sky  an  uncommon  redness,  with 
streams  like  fire. 

About  this  time  was  buried  at  Frankford,  John 
Hurford,  who  was  about  ninety  years  of  age ;  at  whose 
burial,  the  coldness  of  the  season  considered,  were  a 
pretty  many  Friends,  neighbors,  and  relations  of  the 
deceased ;  as  also  divers  from  Philadelphia.  I  was 
concerned  to  advise  those  present  to  prepare  for  their 
final  change ;  that  being  certain,  though  the  time  is 
uncertain ;  which,  generally,  none  knows  but  the  Al- 
mighty ;  therefore  we  ought  always  to  be  preparing 
for  our  dissolution,  and  always  watching  and  praying 
lest  we  enter  into  temptation ;  as  said  our  dear  Lord, 
"  If  the  good  man  of  the  house  had  known  in  what 
hour  the  thief  would  come,  he  would  have  watched." 
And  we  not  knowing  whether  death  'will  come  in  our 
youth,  in  middle,  or  old  age,  ought  therefore  earnestly 
to  prepare  our  hearts  to  meet  death,  so  that  we  might 
dwell  with  God  and  Christ  in  his  kingdom  forever. 
It  was  also  observed,  that  though  this  Friend  had 
lived  to  a  great  age,  yet  that  few  lived  so  long,  no, 
not  one  in  a  thousand,  and  many  die  very  young. 
They  were  earnestly  entreated,  in  the  love  of  God 
through  Christ,  to  prepare  for  their  latter  end,  and 
not  to  set  their  hearts  and  affections  on  things  below ; 
for,  by  how  much  they  set  their  hearts  and  affections 
on  natural  or  outward  objects,  by  so  much  the  harder 
it  would  be  to  part  with  them,  when  death  should 
come.     This  meeting  ended  with  prayer  for  reforma- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  365 

tion  and  preservation  to  the  end  of  life ;  and  praises, 
yea,  high  praises  were  given  to  Him  who  had  given 
to  all  present  life,  breath  and  being. 

It  being  exceedingly  severe  weather,  with  much 
rain,  wind,  and  snow,  there  were  great  floods,  so  that 
we  could  not  get  over  Frankford  creek  to  meeting ; 
wherefore  the  Friends  on  the  west  side  met  together 
at  my  house,  and  we  had  a  satisfactory,  good  meeting, 
in  which  we  were  exhorted  to  build  our  religion  on 
the  sure  foundation ;  that  neither  storms,  rain,  nor 
winds  might  be  able  to  shake  us  from  this  foundation, 
which  is  Christ,  the  rock  of  ages. 

This  winter  we  were  visited  at  Frankford  with  the 
small-pox,  of  which  many  died  at  Philadelphia,  and 
several  in  our  neighborhood. 

Staying  chiefly  at  home,  I  spent  much  of  my  time 
in  reading  and  writing,  being  often  sensible  of  the 
love  and  goodness  of  God,  my  exceeding  great  re- 
ward ;  He  by  the  spirit  of  his  Son  comforting  me, 
and  sometimes  melting  my  heart  into  tenderness  in 
consideration  of  his  many  mercies,  which  caused  me 
to  praise  his  holy  name,  who  is  thereof  worthy,  be- 
yond expression,  forever. 

In  the  First  month  I  went  with  my  friend  John 
Oxley,  of  Barbadoes,  to  Bristol,  where  we  had  a  large 
meeting ;  and  then  over  the  river  Delaware  to  Bur- 
lington Quarterly  Meeting :  we  were  obliged  to  get 
to  the  Jersey  shore  on  the  ice,  laying  boards  thereon 
for  about  one  hundred  yards  together ;  and  being 
long  on  the  ice  and  poorly  as  to  health,  I  took  such 
31* 


366  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

a  cold  that  I  could  not  get  to  meeting  next  day,  but 
was  at  the  Youths'  Meeting  on  Third  day  following. 
On  Fourth  day  I  went  to  Eancocas  meeting,  then  to 
a  large  meeting  at  Mount  Holly,  where  was  a  mar- 
riage ;  afterwards  to  Evesham  and  Upper  Springfield, 
or  Hanover,  and  then  returned  to  Burlington,  and 
next  day  was  at  the  Monthly  Meeting  there,  which, 
to  me,  was  a  good,  open  meeting,  wherein  church 
discipline  was  somewhat  treated  of,  and  Friends  ad- 
vised to  wait  for  that  Spirit  which  leads  into  all  truth, 
to  guide  them  in  the  discipline. 

In  the  Second  month,  1737,  I  went  to  Cohansey,  in 
order  to  negotiate  some  affairs,  and  had  three  meet- 
ings at  Greenwich  and  one  at  Alloway's  creek ;  and 
on  the  9th  of  said  month,  being  First  day,  was  at 
Salem  meeting,  which  was  large  and  open :  and  in 
the  evening  we  had  a  heavenly  meeting  at  Bartholo- 
mew Wyat's. 

After  my  return  from  Salem,  on  the  1st  of  the 
Third  month  I  took  a  journey  to  the  eastward,  hav- 
ing a  desire  to  see  Friends  in  those  parts,  whom  I 
had  divers  times  visited  in  the  service  of  the  gospel, 
in  my  young  years ;  and  though  now  upwards  of 
threescore  years  of  age,  was  willing  to  visit  them 
once  more  before  I  died,  who,  in  some  places  where  I 
had  formerly  travelled,  were  grown  veiy  numerous.  I 
set  out  with  Joseph  Gilbert  and  several  other  Friends, 
and  we  travelled  together  to  Long  Island,  where  we 
parted,  and  I  went  to  Newtown,  where  I  met  with 
John  Fothergill  and  Samuel  Bowne ;  at  which  plac* 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  367 

we  had  a  meeting,  which  was  appointed  on  John  '3 
account,  and  his  service  therein  was  to  the  satisfac- 
tion and  edification  of  Friends.  From  thence  John 
went  to  West  Chester,  on  the  main,  and  I  went  to 
Flushing,  where  we  had  a  large,  open  meeting  :  it  was 
.  a  solid,  good  time,  and  the  sacred  name  of  Him  who 
lives  forever,  was  praised. 

From  Flushing  I  went  with  my  old  friend  and 
schoolfellow,  Joseph  Latham,  to  his  house.  Our  con- 
versation was  pleasant  and  comfortable  to  each  other, 
wherein  we  remembered  our  walking  to  and  from 
school,  in  the  suburbs  of  that  great  and  populous 
city,  London ;  when  we  were  beaten,  stoned,  and 
abused,  only  for  being  the  children  of  those  called 
Quakers.  The  priests,  who  had  money  for  preach- 
ing, had  preached  and  printed  so  many  lies  against 
our  Friends,  that  the  common  people  were  almost 
ready  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  us ;  they  telling  us,  when 
we  pleaded  our  innocency  by  saying  we  went  quietly 
along  the  streets  to  school,  that  "  It  was  no  more  sin 
to  kill  us,  than  to  kill  a  dog ; "  but  now,  through  the 
grace  and  favor  of  the  Almighty,  we  enjoy  the  exer- 
cise of  our  religion,  according  to  our  consciences,  free 
from  jails  and  prisons,  in  which  our  primitive  Friends 
suffered  much  ;  for  which  we  ought  to  be  truly  thank- 
ful to  the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

From  Joseph  Latham's  we  went  to  Westbury  and 
Matinicock,  after  a  meeting  at  Cowneck,  and  to  New 
York,  where  I  had  also  religious  service  and  a  meet- 
ing;  and  from   New  York    I   took   my  passage   in 


368  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Robert  Bowne's  sloop,  for  Newport,  on  Rhode  Island, 
was  two  days  and  nights  on  the  water,  and  on  my 
arrival  at  Rhode  Island,  the  brethren  lovingly  re- 
ceived me,  and  we  were  joyful  to  see  each  other. 

After  having  had  divers  good  meetings  on  Rhode 
Island,  I  went  to  Dartmouth,  where  we  had  a  large,, 
serviceable  meeting  at  a  place  called  Aponyganset, 
many  hundreds  being  added  to  the  Church  since  I 
first  visited  those  parts.  From  this  place  I  went  to 
Holder  Slocum's,  and  he  lent  us  his  shallop  to  go 
over  to  Nantucket ;  but  the  wind  not  favoring,  we 
had  a  satisfactory  meeting  at  a  large  farm  of  his  on 
an  island  bearing  his  own  name,  and  after  meeting 
set  sail  for  Nantucket,  had  several  large  meetings 
there,  and  I  rejoiced  to  see  the  growth  and  increase 
of  Friends  on  this  island ;  where  God  hath  greatly 
multiplied  his  people,  and  made  them  honorable; 
glory  to  his  name  forever. 

The  priests,  who  have  money  for  preaching ;  the 
lawyers,  who  have  it  for  pleading;  and  the  physi- 
cians, who  have  money  for  giving  receipts  for  health  ; 
are  poor  trades  on  this  island. 

I  had  been  at  Nantucket  about  thirty-nine  years 
before,  at  which  time  there  were  only  two  men  and 
one  woman,  who  joined  with  our  Friends  in  profession, 
and  now  it  was  computed  there  were  above  a  thousand 
who  went  to  our  meetings,  they  being  a  sober,  reli- 
gious peoj  le ;  and  there  is  a  great  increase  of  Friends 
in  -divers  other  places  in  New  England ;  and  whereas 
formerly  we  were  greatly  persecuted  for  our  religion, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  369 

now  we  are  treated  with  more  civility  and  respect  in 
those  parts. 

From  Nantucket,  Nathaniel  Starbuck  and  Elijah 
Collins  went  with  me,  with  several  other  Friends,  to 
the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Rhode  Island ;  which  was  so 
very  large  that  it  was  difficult  to  speak  so'  as  to  be 
heard  all  over  it;  but  the  last  day  our  friend,  John 
Fothergill,  who  had  a  high  voice,  being  attended  with 
the  divine  power,  gave  good  satisfaction  to  the  meet- 
ing, and  it  ended  well.  After  this  meeting  was  over, 
I  went  with  Benjamin  Bagnal  to  Boston,  and  from 
thence  to  Lynn  and  Salem,  and  had  several  satisfac- 
tory meetings,  which  tended  to  unite  our'  hearts  to- 
gether in  the  love  of  Christ,  and  the  fellowship  of 
his  gospel.  From  Salem  I  went  with  Zaccheus  Collins 
and  his  wife  to  their  house,  and  lodged  there  three 
nights,  and  was  lovingly  entertained,  as  I  was  also  at 
many  other  Friends'  houses.  From  Lynn  Zaccheus 
Collins  accompanied  me  to  Boston,  where  we  had  a 
meeting  on  a  Fourth  day  of  the  week,  and  the  next 
day  there  was  a  very  large  meeting,  the  greatest 
gathering  of  people  which  had  been  seen  at  Friends' 
meeting-house  for  a  long  time,  occasioned  by  the 
marriage  of  John  Mifflin,  of  Philadelphia,  to  Benja- 
min Bagnal's  eldest  daughter. 

From  Boston  I  returned  to  Rhode  Island,  and  had 
divers  meetings  at  Newport  and  Portsmouth,  wherein 
our  hearts  were  made  glad  in  Christ,  and  we  were 
strengthened  in  our  faith  in  him ;  blessed  be  his  holy 
name  forever. 


370  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

From  Khode  Island  I  went  to  Conanicut,  and  to 
Kingston  in  the  Narraganset  country,  and  had  meet- 
ings, and  then  back  to  Khode  Island  again,  and  by- 
water  in  company  with  divers  Friends  to  Greenwich, 
where  I  was  at  two  large  meetings  :  at  this  place  they 
showed  me  the  trees  under  which  about  forty  years 
ago  I  had  a  meeting ;  but  now  they  have  a  pleasant 
meeting-house. 

The  next  First  day  I  was  at  a  large,  solid,  edifying 
meeting  in  a  new  meeting-house  at  Tiverton.  From 
thence  I  went  to  visit  Joseph  Wanton's  wife,  who  had 
been  long  sick ;  and  in  her  chamber,  with  several  of 
her  friends  and  relations,  I  had  divers  religious  sea- 
sons, with  which  she  expressed  much  satisfaction ;  she 
died  of  this  sickness,  and  I  was  at  her  burial,  which 
was  large,  she  being  well  known  and  beloved.  Next 
day  I  was  at  an  appointed  meeting  at  Portsmouth, 
which  was  large  and  to  satisfaction,  for  which  we 
blessed  the  holy  name  of  God.  I  had  many  good 
opportunities  on  Khode  Island  in  private  families, 
and  was  at  several  meetings  over  the  Beach,  at  John 
Easton's,  who  was  about  ninety  years  of  age  ;  he  had 
travelled  with  me  when  I  was  a  young  man  ;  we  took 
leave  of  each  other,  not  expecting  to  meet  more  in 
this  world. 

After  many  meetings  on  Khode  Island,  I  took  my 
passage  for  Long  Island,  in  my  return  homeward; 
and  after  a  boisterous  passage,  and  being  four  nights 
on  the  water,  I  got  well  again  to  my  loving  friend 
Joseph  Latham's,  where  I  had  left  my  horse,  and  on 


THOMAS    CHALKI.EY.  371 

Fifth  day  had  a  meeting  at  Cowneck,  where  I  met 
with  Elijah  Collins,  Eose  Tibbets,  and  Patience  Bar- 
ker, we  rejoicing  to  see  each  other,  after  their  long 
journey  by  land,  and  mine  by  water,  they  being  like- 
wise going  for  Pennsylvania.  These  Friends  went 
to  Flushing  First-day  meeting,  and  I  to  Westbury, 
where  was  a  large  meeting,  in  which  there  was  a 
drunken  schoolmaster,  who  disturbed  us,  though  at 
last  it  ended  quietly,  and  I  hope  well  also.  The  next 
Fourth  day  I  was  at  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  West- 
bury,  where  many  Friends  met  from  divers  quarters, 
and  it  was  a  solid  good  time.  We  had  a  meeting  at 
Thomas  Rodman's,  who  was  unwell,  and  had  not  been 
at  a  meeting  for  some  months ;  he  took  our  visit 
kindly,  expressing  his  love  to  us ;  we  had  also  a  meet- 
ing at  Jeremiah  Williams',  to  good  satisfaction.  Fifth 
day  we  had  a  large  gathering  at  Matinicock,  and  in 
the  evening  a  tender  broken  meeting  at  Samuel  Un- 
derbill's, and  Sixth  day  a  good  one  at  Newtown, 
wherein  primitive  Christianity  was  opened  and  ex- 
perimentally declared  to  the  people ;  and  in  the  even- 
ing we  had  a  good  opportunity  to  declare  the  truth 
of  Christ  at  the  house  of  Richard  Hallet,  among 
several  of  his  sober  neighbors.  Next  morning  being 
the  seventh  of  the  week,  we  went  to  West  Chester  to 
a  Yearly  Meeting,  which  was  much  crowded  and  the 
people  very  unsettled,  so  that  it  was  not  so  satisfac- 
tory as  could  have  been  desired.  After  meeting  we 
went  over  again  to  Long  Island,  and  then  to  New 
York,  where  we  had  a  large  quiet  meeting  in  the 


372  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

evening.  At  New  York  on  Third  day  morning, 
divers  dear  friends  accompanied  us  to  the  water-side, 
where  we  solemnly  took  leave  of  one  another  in  the 
love  of  Christ,  and  in  the  fellowship  of  his  gospel ; 
some  of  us  not  expecting  to  see  each  other  any  more. 
Passing  over  Long  and  Staten  Islands  to  Elizabeth 
town,  we  travelled  to  Kahway,  and  had  a  meeting  on 
a  Fourth  day  in  the  evening,  where  many  neigh- 
bors came.  After  meeting  a  certain  person  was  dis- 
satisfied about  women's  public  speaking  in  religious 
meetings;  Rose  Tibbets  having  publicly  exhorted 
them  in  this  meeting  to  be  religious  and  to  fear  God, 
and  having  prayed  to  God  for  us  all,  and  praised  his 
holy  name,  the  said  person  desired  we  would  endeavor 
to  satisfy  him  about  it,  inasmuch  as  the  apostle  Paul 
forbade  it,  as  he  apprehended.  To  which  it  was 
answered,  that  the  apostle  Paul  only  forbade,  or  did 
not  permit  forward  or  busy  women  to  speak  or  ask 
questions  in  the  church ;  but  advised  them  to  ask 
their  husbands  at  home,  and  that  doubtless  he  never 
intended  to  debar  such  godly  women  who  had  a  real 
necessity  laid  on  them,  and  were  concerned  by  the 
Almighty  to  speak  unto  or  pray  for  the  people,  else 
he  would  not  have  showed  them  how  they  ought  to 
behave  themselves  in  the  service.  For  if  he  had  any 
design  to  hinder  such,  whom  the  Almighty  should 
call  to  this  work,  then  he  must  have  contradicted 
himself,  where  he  shows  how  they  must  behave  them- 
selves in  their  duty  of  speaking  or  praying ;  and  he 
would    likewise    thereby   have   opposed    the   apostle 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  373 

Peter,  who  said,  Now  is  fulfilled  the  prophecy  of  the 
prophet  Joel,  that  in  the  latter  days  sons  and  daugh- 
ters should  prophesy.  So  that  it  is  clear  and  plain, 
they  who  would  limit  or  silence  those  who  have  a  gift 
from  God  to  preach  or  pray  in  public,  from  the  words 
of  the  apostle  Paul,  oppose  him  to  himself,  and  to  the 
apostle  Peter,  and  also  to  the  prophet  Joel. 

From  Kahway  we  went  to  Woodbridge,  where  we 
had  a  meeting,  and  there  I  parted  with  my  fellow- 
travellers,  having  a  concern,  though  much  in  the 
cross  to  my  own  will,  to  go  back  in  the  woods  to  a 
meeting  about  eight  or  nine  miles  off;  which  meeting 
was  much  to  my  own  satisfaction,  as  well  as  of  those 
present,  as  divers  of  them  expressed.  From  this 
place  I  went  to  Stonybrook,  and  had  a  pretty  large 
meeting,  considering  it  was  rainy,  in  the  time  of  the 
meeting's  gathering.  At  this  place,  my  son-in-law, 
Isaac  Brown,  with  several  Friends,  came  to  meet  me, 
whom  I  was  glad  to  see,  and  after  meeting  went  with 
them  to  Trenton,  and  next  day  to  Bristol,  it  being 
their  Third-day  meeting,  which  was  large,  and  after 
meeting  went  home  to  Frankford,  and  there  was  lov- 
ingly received  by  my  wife  and  family.  In  this  jour- 
ney I  was  from  home  three  months  and  nine  days, 
had  fifty-five  meetings,  and  travelled  by  land  and 
water  above  a  thousand  miles.  '  I  may  truly  say,  that 
therein  I  was  favored  with  the  divine  presence  and 
grace  of  God  by  Christ,  in  a  good  degree,  and  also 
with  the  fellowship  of  many  sincere  believers  in  him, 

32 


374  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

which  in  my  return  caused  my  soul  to  bless  His  holy 
name,  who  lives  forever. 

In  the  Sixth  month,  after  having  had  divers  meet- 
ings at  and  about  home,  I  went  to  Darby,  Chester, 
and  Newcastle,  having  meetings  in  each  place,  which 
were  to  the  tendering  of  some  mournful  souls,  and  to 
their  comfort  and  strength.  From  Newcastle  I  fer- 
ried over  Delaware  river  to  Penn's-neck,  where  I  had 
a  meeting,  at  which  were  several  that  had  never  been 
at  any  of  our  meetings  before,  who  went  away  well 
satisfied.  From  thence  I  went  to  Salem  Monthly 
Meeting,  which  was  very  large,  and  to  Cohansey  to 
the  Third-day  meeting,  and  stayed  till  next  First-day 
meeting,  which,  though  small,  by  reason  of  rainy, 
stormy  weather,  was  a  very  precious  time.  After  I 
had  negotiated  some  affairs  at  Cohansey,  I  returned 
to  Salem,  where  I  met  with  my  fellow-traveller,  Elijah 
Collins,  of  Boston,  with  whom  I  went  on  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  from  thence  home  ;  having  much  satisfaction 
in  this  journey,  in  which  I  had  nine  meetings,  and 
travelled  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  I  can- 
not be  clear  in  my  mind  without  saying  that  I  did 
not,  nor  do  I  study  what  to  preach  to  the  people. 
Nor  did  I,  nor  do  I,  receive  any  pay  or  outward 
consideration  for  preaching,  it  being,  as  I  really  be- 
lieve, contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  and  his 
apostles  and  disciples. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  375 


CHAPTEE    XII. 

1737-1740. 

Religious  Services  about  Home  —  Religious  Visit  in  New  Jersey 
and  through  several  Southern  Provinces  —  Death  of  George 
Chalkley  of  London  —  Epistle  to  Friends  of  Opeckon  —  Journey 
into  the  Lower  Counties  —  Visit  to  Parts  of  New  Jersey  — 
Mortality  in  Philadelphia  —  Obligation  on  the  People  of  Penn- 
sylvania to  maintain  the  Principles  of  Peace  —  Religious  Visit 
to  the  Virgin  Islands  —  Voyage  and  Services  in  Tortola  —  Last 
Sickness  and  Death. 

This  fall  I  visited  several  of  the  meetings  of  Friends 
in  Bucks  county,  and  the  meetings  at  and  about  home, 
as  at  Frankford,  Philadelphia,  Abington,  Byberry, 
and  Germantown.  In  the  Ninth  month  I  was  appoint- 
ed with  several  other  Friends,  by  our  Monthly  Meet- 
ing, to  visit  the  families  of  Friends  in  Philadelphia. 
My  lot  was  to  visit  the  upper  part  of  the  city,  in 
company  with  Phebe  Morris,  Hannah  Parrock,  and 
Daniel  Stanton  ;  in  which  service  we  were  of  one 
heart  and  mind,  and  performed  it  in  pure  self-denial, 
and  in  the  cross  of  our  holy  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  And 
wonderful  it  was,  how  the  presence  and  goodness  of 
God  went  with  us  from  house  to  house,  and  opened 
the  states  and  conditions  of  the  families  to  us,  to  the 
tendering  of  many  hearts,  both  of  parents  and  chil- 


376  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

dren.  We  visited  about  forty  families  of  Friends, 
when  the  winter  setting  in,  and  I  being  but  weakly, 
having  had  a  sharp  spell  of  the'  fever,  we  by  consent 
were  willing  to  defer  the  conclusion  of  this  work  until 
longer  days  and  warmer  weather. 

In  this  month  I  was  sent  to,  in  order  to  be  at  the 
burial  of  the  wife  of  Richard  Smith,  Jr.  She  was  a 
virtuous  woman,  and  well  beloved,  at  whose  funeral 
were  many  of  her  neighbors  and  friends.  It  was  a 
very  solemn  time,  in  which  meeting  it  was  desired 
that  those  who  had  lost  their  parents,  would  live  so 
that  they  might  not  be  a  dishonor  to  them ;  for  it  was 
observed  of  some  children,  after  their  parents  were 
dead,  they  grew  worse  than  when  they  were  alive, 
taking  undue  liberties,  which  their  fathers  and  moth- 
ers could  not  have  allowed  of,  which  was  a  sore  grief 
and  trouble  to  their  friends,  and  such  as  wished  them 
well.  Therefore  they  were  exhorted  not  to  do  that 
when  their  parents  were  dead,  which  they  would  not 
have  done  if  they  were  living  ;  which  would  be  heavy 
on  them,  and  tend  to  bring  a  blast  on  them  in  this 
world ;  and  they  were  desired  to  consider  how  they 
would  answer  it  in  the  world  to  come. 

It  waa  also  observed,  that  sometimes  the  death  of 
parents  had  a  good  effect  on  sober  young  people,  they 
being  thereby  led  more  seriously  to  think  on  their 
own  mortality,  and  to  consider  the  great  loss  of  their 
careful  and  religious  fathers  and  mothers,  and  the 
good  example  and  counsel  they  gave  them.  This 
meeting   concluded   v/ith  a  solid,  weighty  frame  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  377 

mind  in  many.  From  Burlington  I  went  to  Mount 
Holly,  had  a  large  meeting  at  the  meeting-house,  and 
another  in  the  evening  at  Mount  Holly  town,  at  the 
house  of  Thomas  Shinn;  both  of  which  were  open, 
and  some  people  not  of  our  profession  were  there, 
who  were  well  satisfied.  I  then  went  to  Evesham, 
Chester,  and  Haddonfield,  at  all  which  places  I  had 
large  meetings,  and  back  to  Burlington,  and  was  at 
their  Fifth-day  meeting.  From  Burlington  I  went 
with  Richard  Smith,  Caleb  Raper,  and  Jonathan 
Wright,  to  visit  a  Friend  who  was  sick,  after  which 
the  said  Friends  accompanied  me  to  the  ferry ;  and  I 
rode  home,  where  I  found  my  family  well,  for  which 
I  was  thankful. 

In  the  forepart  of  the  Tenth  month,  our  worthy 
friend  John  Fothergill  sailed  in  the  brigantine 
"Joseph,"  Ralph  Loftus,  master,  for  Barbadoes,  he 
having  made  a  third  visit  to  America  from  Europe, 
on  a  religious  account.  His  visit  was  acceptable  and 
serviceable,  and  we  parted  in  great  love  and  tenderness. 
The  night  before,  about  the  eleventh  hour,  was  an  earth- 
quake, which  was  the  greatest  known  in  this  province, 
the  whole  city  of  Philadelphia  being  shaken,  and  most 
part  of  the  adjacent  provinces,  though  little  or  no 
damage  was  done  thereby,  which  shows  the  abundant 
mercy  of  a  merciful  God ;  as  also,  if  it  were  the  pleas- 
ure of  his  will,  how  soon  he  can  lay  cities  and  coun- 
tries waste  and  desolate,  and  bury  thousands  in  a 
moment.  But  notwithstanding  the  mighty  power  of 
the  eternal  Jehovah,  oh !  how  hard  are  the  people's 

32* 


378  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

hearts,  and  how  they  hate  to  be  reformed,  and  how 
unconcerned  are  the  inhabitants  of  the  land  about 
their  eternal  peace  and  wellbeing !  This  is  really- 
lamentable.  Oh  !  how  do  earthly-mindedness,  pride, 
covetousness,  and  drunkenness  abound,  with  many 
other  evils,  which  were  scarcely  known  amongst  the 
first  settlers  of  this  peaceful,  and  now  plentiful  land 
of  Pennsylvania. 

The  26th  of  the  Twelfth  month,  being  the  First 
day  of  the  week,  was  buried  at  Merion,  Edward  Jones, 
aged  about  ninety-two  years.  He  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  of  Pennsylvania,  a  man  much  given  to  hospi- 
tality, a  lover  of  good  and  virtuous  people,  and  was 
beloved  by  them.  There  were  many  hundreds  of 
people  at  his  funeral.  I  had  a  concern  to  be  at  this 
meeting  before  I  left  my  place  at  Frankford,  and 
before  I  heard  of  this  Friend's  decease. 

The  beginning  of  the  First  month,  being  the  Fifth 
day  of  the  week,  I  was  sent  to,  in  order  to  be  at  the 
burial  of  Hannah,  the  wife  of  John  Mickle,  at  New- 
town, in  West  Jersey.  My  kinsman,  Daniel  Stanton, 
was  with  me.  It  was  a  solid,  heart-melting  time; 
my  heart  was  broken  into  tenderness  with  many 
others.  The  deceased  was  much  beloved  by  her 
friends  and  neighbors,  and  there  was  much  mourning 
among  her  relations,  by  whom  she  will  be  greatly 
missed.  The  people  were  desired  earnestly  to  prepare 
for  their  latter  end  and  final  change ;  and  that  as  we 
had  all  reason  to  hope  it  was  well  with  our  deceased 
friend,  we  might  likewise  have  a  well-grounded  hope 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  379 

that  it  would  be  well  with  ourselves,  when  we  came  to 
put  off  mortality  and  put  on  immortality.  The  meet- 
ing ended  with  fervent  supplication  for  our  future  well- 
doing and  wellbeing,  both  here  and  hereafter,  and  praise 
to  the  Most  High,  who  is  alone  worthy  for  evermore. 
As  soon  as  I  returned  to  Philadelphia  on  the  Sixth 
day  of  the  week,  I  heard  of  the  death  of  Joseph  Kirk- 
bride,  at  Israel  Pemberton's,  who  told  me  I  was  desired 
to  be  at  his  burial.  He,  his  son,  and  William  Logan, 
accompanied  me  as  far  as  Samuel  Bunting's  that 
afternoon,  with  which  journey  I  was  exceedingly 
tired,  so  that  I  could  hardly  stand  or  go  when  I 
alighted  off  my  horse ;  but  being  refreshed  with  a 
good  night's  rest,  I  went  in  the  morning  to  the  house 
of  my  deceased  friend.  There  was  a  multitude  of 
people  at  the  burial,  among  whom  we  had  a  good  op- 
portunity to  invite  them  to  lay  hold  on  truth  and 
righteousness,  and  prepare  for  another  world.  They 
were  reminded  that  neither  natural  wisdom  nor  riches, 
youth  nor  strength,  crowns  nor  sceptres,  could  secure 
them  from  the  stroke  of  death.  Eobert  Jordan  was 
at  this  meeting  and  had  good  service  therein  ;  it  con- 
cluded in  supplication  for  the  widow  and  fatherless, 
and  for  mankind  universally.  Fourth  day  being  the 
4th  of  the  First  month,  I  was  at  Middletown  meeting 
in  company  with  Thomas  Brown,  wherein  the  divinity 
of  Christ  and  his  being  made  flesh,  born  of  a  virgin, 
crucified,  dead  and  buried,  and  his  being  raised  from 
the  dead  by  the  divine  power,  were  largely  opened  to 
the   people,  and  that  the  same  power  must  be  wit- 


380  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

nessed  to  reform  our  lives,  and  give  us  the  true  saving 
faith  in,  and  knowledge  of  God  the  Father,  and  Christ 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

This  month  at  our  General  Spring  Meeting,  I  ac- 
quainted Friends  that  I  had  a  desire  once  more  to  see 
my  friends  in  Virginia,  Maryland,  and  North  Carolina, 
if  health  and  strength  did  permit,  and  divine  Provi- 
dence favored,  not  having  yet  fully  recovered  my 
former  health  and  strength :  the  meeting  consented 
to  my  request. 

The  latter  end  of  the  First  month  I  was  at  the 
burial  of  Robert  Evan,  of  North  Wales ;  he  was  up- 
wards of  fourscore  years  of  age,  and  one  of  the  first 
settlers  there.  A  man  who  lived  and  died  in  the  love 
of  God  and  his  neighbors,  of  whom  I  believe  it  might 
be  truly  said,  as  our  Saviour  said  of  Nathaniel :  "  Be- 
hold an  Israelite  indeed,  in  whom  there  is  no  guile." 
He  was  a  minister  of  Christ,  full  of  divine  and  religious 
matter.  In  this  month  I  was  at  Fairhill,  at  a  meeting 
appointed  for  Ruth  Courtney  and  Susannah  Hudson, 
who  were  on  a  religious  visit  from  Ireland  to  Friends 
in  this  and  the  adjacent  provinces.  It  was  a  good 
meeting,  the  Friends  speaking  to  the  state  thereof. 

The  beginning  of  the  Second  month  I  went  over 
the  Delaware,  and  so  to  Cohansey,  intending  home 
before  I  set  out  for  my  journey  to  the  southward ; 
but  my  affairs  not  answering  so  as  to  come  home,  and 
afterward  to  reach  the  Yearly  Meeting  of  Friends  at 
West  river,  which  I  proposed  to  our  General  Meeting, 
I  wrote  to  my  wife  and  family  that  I  intended  to  pro- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  381 

ceed  to  "West  river  Meeting,  it  saving  me  much  time 
and  riding ;  and  after  having  been  at  several  meetings 
at  Cohansey,  and  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Salem,  and 
at  a  meeting  at  Pilesgrove,  being  accompanied  by  a 
Friend  of  Salem,  I  proceeded  and  went  over  Delaware 
river,  and  first  had  a  meeting  at  George's  creek,  and 
from  thence  to  the  head  of  Sassafras  river,  where  we 
had  a  meeting,  but  by  reason  of  the  wet  weather  it 
was  small.  We  travelled  to  Cecil  meeting,  and  so  on 
to  Chester;  then  to  Queen  Ann's  county,  and  from 
thence  to  Newtown,  on  Chester  river,  where  we  had 
a  large  satisfactory  meeting ;  in  which  it  was  shown 
that  no  Christian  might  or  could  break  the  moral 
part  of  the  law ;  for,  said  the  apostle,  it  is  a  school- 
master to  bring  to  Christ,  and  that  those  who  come 
to  the  gospel  of  Christ,  can  in  no  wise  break  the  least 
commandment  of  God.  For  example  :  the  law  saith, 
"Thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself;"  but  if  a  man, 
according  to  Christ's  gospel,  swears  not  at  all,  then 
that  man  cannot  forswear  himself.  Again  the  law 
saith,  "  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  and  hate  thine 
enemy ;"  but  Christ  says,  love  your  enemies ;  the  which 
if  we  do,  there  is  no  doubt  but  we  shall  love  our  neigh- 
bors. Those  things  were  largely  spoken  to  and  opened 
in  the  meeting,  and  the  people,  many  of  whom  were 
not  of  our  Society,  were  very  attentive  and  sober,  and 
the  good  hand  of  the  Almighty  was  amongst  us. 

From  Chester  river  we  crossed  Chesapeake  bay  to 
the  Yearly  Meeting  at  West  river,  where  we  met  with 
our  friends  Michael  Lightfoot,  Elizabeth  Wyat,  and 


382  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

Grace  Mason,  with  divers  others;  Elizabeth  and  Grace 
being  on  their  return  home  from  a  religious  visit  to 
North  Carolina  and  Virginia.  We  all  being  far  from 
home  and  well  acquainted,  were  glad  to  see  one  another, 
being  thankful  to  the  Almighty,  who  had  been  pleased 
to  preserve  us  so  far  on  our  way.  After  the  meeting 
was  ended  at  "West  river,  taking  leave  in  the  love  of 
Christ  of  divers  Friends,  with  hearts  full  of  love  and 
eyes  full  of  tears,  as  never  expecting  to  see  one  an- 
other again,  I  with  my  companion  and  Armiger  Trotter, 
who  came  up  with  the  Friends  from  Virginia  to  West 
river,  set  out  for  Virginia,  and  having  passed  over 
Patuxent  river,  had  a  meeting  among  the  family  of 
the  Plummers,  one  of  whom,  with  another  Friend, 
accompanied  us  to  the  river  Potomac ;  we  rode  as 
nearly  as  we  could  compute  sixty  miles  that  day.  I 
being  heavy  and  aged  and  the  weather  hot,  was  very 
much  tired,  and  laid  down  in  my  clothes  all  night, 
and  the  next  morning  ferried  over  the  river  Potomac, 
computed  about  three  miles,  and  parted  with  our 
guides.  When  over  this  river  we  travelled  fifteen 
miles  to  William  Duff's,  had  a  meeting  there,  and 
from  thence  to  a  meeting  of  Friends  at  John  Cheagle's, 
and  so  to  Black  creek,  had  a  meeting  there,  and  then 
went  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Friends  on  the  west 
side  of  James  river,  and  to  the  Monthly  Meeting  at 
JSTansemond  river,  and  from  thence  to  Carolina,  and 
on  a  First  day  had  a  large  meeting  at  a  new  meeting- 
house built  to  accommodate  the  Yearly  Meeting;  it  was 
a  good,  solid  meeting,  and  there  Friends  appointed 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  383 

several  meetings  for  us ;  after  attending  which  we 
went  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  for  Friends  in  North 
Carolina,  which  was  very  large.  The  people  were 
exhorted  to  overcome  sin  as  Christ  overcame,  that 
they  might  sit  with  him  in  his  kingdom,  as  he  over- 
came, and  is  set  down  in  the  kingdom  of  God  his 
Father:  that  subject  was  largely  spoken  to,  and  we 
had  a  good  opportunity  with  the  people,  and  the  great 
name  of  God  was  exalted  over  all.  After  this  Quar- 
terly Meeting  we  had  a  meeting  at  James  Wilson's, 
in  the  barrens,  which  was  a  large,  good,  and  open 
meeting :  in  the  conclusion  thereof,  I  told  them  that 
I  came  among  them  in  great  love,  though  in  a  cross 
to  my  own  will,  with  respect  to  my  age  and  the  heat 
of  the  weather,  being  willing  to  see  them  in  that 
province  once  more  before  I  left  this  world ;  and  as 
I  came  in  love,  so  I  parted  with  them;  desiring  them 
to  dwell  in  love  and  peace,  and  then  the  God  of  love 
would  be  with  them. 

From  Carolina  we  travelled  into  Virginia,  Zachariah 
Nixon  accompanying  us,  and  had  a  meeting  at  the 
widow  Newby's,  and  then  at  Nansemond  and  the 
Branch;  many  people  were  there  not  of  our  Society, 
and  were  very  attentive  and  sober.  Next  day  being 
the  second  of  the  week,  we  had  a  satisfactory  meeting 
at  Bennet's  creek  ;  then  to  Chuckatuck,  Basper-neck, 
Pagan  creek,  and  into  Surry  county,  to  Samuel 
Sebrell's ;  then  to  Robert  Honicut's,  had  a  meeting 
there ;  then  to  Curl's,  up  James  river ;  to  Thomas 
and  John  Pleasants',  and  then  to  the  Swamp  and  Cedar 
creek ;  and  so  on  to  John  Cheagle's. 


384  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

We  came  to  his  house  on  Fifth  day,  the  20th  of  the 
Fifth  month ;  and  being  unwilling  to  be  idle  on  Sixth 
and  Seventh  days,  intending  to  have  a  meeting  at  his 
house  on  First  day,  we  appointed  one  about  three 
miles,  and  another  about  six  miles  off;  at  which  places 
we  had  good  service :  and  then  had  a  very  large 
meeting  at  his  house,  on  First  day,  which  was,  I  hope, 
to  pretty  general  satisfaction,  to  the  religious  part 
of  the  people.  From  thence  we  travelled  to  William 
Duff's,  and  had  a  meeting  at  their  meeting-house ; 
and  afterwards  William  went  with  us  over  Potomac 
river,  as  far  as  Piscataway,  in  Maryland.  This  river 
is  computed  to  be  nearly  four  miles  over,  and  when 
we  were  about  the  middle,  there  was  a  large  swell, 
and  the  motion  of  the  boat  made  our  horses  fall  down, 
and  the  boat  having  much  water  in  it,  being  very 
leaky,  was  near  oversetting.  Those  in  the  boat  were 
in  some  concern  and  consternation,  saying,  when  we 
came  to  the  shore,  that  they  did  not  remember  they 
were  ever  before  in  the  like  danger.  I  apprehend 
we  were  in  danger  ;  and  if  the  boat  had  overset,  in 
all  likelihood  we  might  have  been  drowned.  And  I 
then  thought  I  was  in  the  service  of  Christ,  my  great 
master,  and  I  also  knew  I  must  die,  and  I  thought  I 
might  as  well  die  in  his  service  as  my  own  ;  so  I  gave 
up  my  life  for  Christ's  sake,  and  he  gave  it  to  me 
again.  Oh  !  may  I,  with  all  those  who  sincerely  love 
him,  serve  him  truly  all  our  days,  is  my  desire! 

From  Piscataway  we  travelled  to  Patuxent,  to  the 
family  of  the  Plummers,  who  were  ten  sons  of  one 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  385 

father  and  mother,  and  were  convinced  about  the  time 
I  first  had  meetings  in  those  parts,  and  so  far  as  I 
know,  they  are  all  sober  men. 

After  this  meeting  we  went  to  Gerard  Hopkins', 
then  to  Patapsco,  and  had  a  large  meeting,  the  house 
being  full  before  the  Friends  came,  so  that  they  could 
hardly  get  in ;  to  me  it  was  a  good,  seasonable  oppor- 
tunity, as  was  our  next  in  the  forest  of  Gunpowder 
river ;  where  Friends  have  built  a  new  meeting- 
house, which,  at  this  time,  could  not  contain  the 
people.  From  Gunpowder  river  we  went  to  Bush 
river,  had  a  good,  open  meeting,  and  one  at  Deer 
creek,  and  so  over  Susquehanna  to  Elihu  Hall's. 

At  West  Nottingham  I  parted  with  my  companion, 
he  having  about  a  day's  travel  home.  I  had  two 
meetyigs  on  First  day  at  the  great  meeting-house  at 
West  Nottingham,  which  were  very  large,  and  Friends 
glad  to  see  me  once  more.  After  having  meetings  at 
Christiana  bridge,  Wilmington,  Center,  and  Kennet, 
I  went  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  of  ministers  at  Con- 
cord, and  was  there  First  and  Second  day,  and  Third 
day  at  Darby ;  all  which  were  very  large  meetings, 
and  Friends  were  satisfied  and  comforted,  and  I  was 
encouraged  in  the  work  and  service  of  the  gospel 
of  Christ.  From  Darby  I  went  home,  having  been 
abroad  about  four  months,  and  rode,  by  computation, 
above  eleven  hundred  miles,  and  was  at  about  seventy 
meetings. 

While  I  was  on   this  journey,  I  had  an  account 

of  the  death  of  my  dear  and  only  brother,  George 
33 


386  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

Chalkley,  a  religious,  prudent  man  ;  lie  died  the  24th 
of  the  Ninth  month,  1737,  near  the  seventieth  year 
of  his  age,  and  left  behind  him  a  mournful  widow  and 
four  daughters,  all  virtuous  women. 

When  in  Virginia,  I  wrote  to  those  of  our  Society 
at  Opeckon,  Shenandoah,  etc.,  many  of  whom  went 
out  of  our  province  to  settle  in  the  government  of 
Virginia;  to  the  following  effect. 

To  Friends  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  at  Opeckon. 

"Virginia,  at  John  Cheagle's,  21st  of  Fifth  month,  1738. 

"Dear  Friends,  who  inhabit  Shenandoah  and 
Opeckon, —  ; 

"  Having  a  concern  for  your  welfare  and  prosperity, 
both  now  and  hereafter,  and  also  the  prosperity  of 
your  children,  I  had  a  desire  to  see  you ;  but  being 
in  years  and  heavy,  and  much  spent  and  fatigued  with 
my  long  journeys  in  Virginia  and  Carolina,  it  seems 
too  hard  for  me  to  perform  a  visit  in  person  to  you ; 
wherefore  I  take  this  way  to  discharge  my  mind  of 
what  lies  weightily  thereon  :  and, 

"  First ;  I  desire  that  you  be  very  careful,  being 
far  and  back  inhabitants,  to  keep  a  friendly  corre- 
spondence with  the  native  Indians,  giving  them  no 
occasion  of  offence;  they  being  a  cruel  and  merciless 
enemy,  where  they  think  they  are  wronged  or  de- 
frauded of  their  right,  as  woful  experience  hath 
taught  in  Carolina,  Virginia,  and  Maryland,  and 
especially  in  New  England,  etc. ;  and, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  387 

"  Second  ;  As  divine  Providence  hath  given  them 
and  their  forefathers  the  possession  of  this  continent 
of  America,  or  this  wilderness,  they  have  a  natural 
right  thereto,  in  justice  and  equity ;  and  no  people, 
according  to  the  law  of  nature  and  justice,  and  our 
own  principle,  which  is  according  to  the  glorious 
gospel  of  our  dear  and  holy  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  ought 
to  take  away,  or  settle  on  other  men's  lands  or  rights, 
without  consent,  or  purchasing  the  same,  by  agree- 
ment of  parties  concerned ;  which  I  suppose  in  your 
case  is  not  yet  done. 

"  Third  ;  Therefore  my  counsel  and  Christian  advice 
to  you  is,  my  dear  friends,  that  the  most  reputable 
among  you  do,  with  speed,  endeavor  to  agree  with 
and  purchase  your  lands  of  the  native  Indians  or 
inhabitants.  Take  example  of  our  worthy  and  hon- 
orable late  proprietor,  William  Penn ;  who,  by  his 
wise  and  religious  care  in  that  relation,  hath  settled 
a  lasting  peace  and  commerce  with  the  natives,  and 
through  his  prudent  management  therein  hath  been 
instrumental  to  plant  in  peace  one  of  the  most  flour- 
ishing provinces  in  the  world. 

"  Fourth  ;  "Who  would  run  the  risk  of  the  lives  of 
their  wives  and  children,  for  the  sparing  a  little  cost 
and  pains  ?  I  am  concerned  to  lay  these  things  before 
you  under  an  uncommon  exercise  of  mind,  that  your 
new  and  flourishing  little  settlement  may  not  be  laid 
waste,  and  if  the  providence  of  the  Almighty  doth 
not  intervene,  some  of  the  blood  of  yourselves,  wives, 
or  children,  be  spilled  on  the  ground. 


388  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

"  Fifth ;  Consider  you  are  in  the  province  of  Vir- 
ginia, holding  what  rights  you  have  under  that  gov- 
ernment ;  and  the  Virginians  have  made  an  agree- 
ment with  the  natives  to  go  as  far  as  the  mountains, 
but  no  further ;  and  you  are  over  and  beyond  the 
mountains,  therefore  out  of  that  agreement ;  by  which 
you  lie  open  to  the  insults  and  incursions  of  the 
southern  Indians,  who  have  destroyed  many  of  the 
inhabitants  of  Carolina  and  Virginia,  and  even  now 
have  destroyed  more  on  the  like  occasion.  The 
English  going  beyond  the  bounds  of  their  agreement, 
eleven  of  them  were  killed  by  the  Indians  while  we 
were  travelling  in  Virginia. 

"  Sixth  ;  If  you  believe  yourselves  to  be  within  the 
bounds  of  William  Penn's  patent  from  King  Charles 
II.,  which  will  be  hard  for  you  to  prove,  you  being 
far  to  the  southward  of  his  line  ;  yet,  if  done,  that 
is  of  no  consideration  with  the  Indians,  without  a 
purchase  of  them ;  except  you  will  go  about  to  con- 
vince them  by  fire  and  sword,  contrary  to  our  prin- 
ciples ;  and  if  that  were  done,  they  would  ever  be  im- 
placable enemies,  and  the  land  could  never  be  enjoyed 
in  peace. 

"  Seventh  ;  Please  to  note  that  in  Pennsylvania  no 
new  settlements  are  made  without  an  agreement  with 
the  natives  ;  as  witness  Lancaster  county,  lately  set- 
tled; though  that  is  far  within  the  grant  of  William 
Penn's  patent  from  King  Charles  II.,  wherefore  you 
lie  open  to  insurrections  of  the  northern  as  well  as 
southern  Indians. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  389 

"  And  lastly  ;  Thus  having  shown  my  good  will  to 
you  and  to  your  new  settlement,  that  you  might  sit 
every  one  under  your  own  shady  tree,  where  none 
might  make  you  afraid,  and  that  you  might  prosper 
naturally  and  spiritually,  you  and  your  children ;  and 
having  in  some  measure  eased  my  mind  of  the  weight 
and  concern  that  lay  upon  me,  I  subscribe  in  the  love 
of  our  holy  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 

"  Your  real  friend, 

"  Thomas  Chalkley." 

After  my  return  from  this  journey,  I  stayed  much 
at  home  that  winter,  travelling  being  now  hard  for 
me,  so  that  I  could  not  perform  long  journeys  as  for- 
merly, being  more  broken  in  the  long  and  hard  trav- 
elling in  this  journey  than  in  divers  years  before. 

In  the  year  1739  I  took  several  short  journeys  in 
Salem  and  Burlington  counties,  in  West  Jersey,  and 
in  Philadelphia,  Chester  and  Bucks  counties,  in  Penn- 
sylvania, having  many  large  and  comfortable  meet- 
ings, and  some  satisfactory  service  in  several  of  them. 

This  year  the  war  broke  out  between  Great  Britain 
and  Spain;  the .  Spaniards  giving  great  occasion  of 
offence  to  the  British  nation ;  notwithstanding  which, 
King  George  II.  sought  to  accommodate  matters  peace- 
ably ;  but  the  crown  of  Spain  not  complying  with  the 
terms  agreed  on  for  an  accommodation,  war  was  pro- 
claimed ;  which  occasioned  much  disturbance  and 
distraction  in  our  peaceable  province  and  govern- 
ment. War  being  destructive  to  life,  health,  and 
33* 


390  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

trade,  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  people,  and 
absolutely  against  the  doctrine  and  practice  of  the 
Prince  of  life  and  peace,  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  a  great  concern  came  on  my  mind  to  promote 
his  doctrine ;  in  order  to  which  I  was  largely  con- 
cerned to  treat  thereof  at  the  General  Spring  Meet- 
ing at  Philadelphia ;  with  which  service  divers  wise 
and  pious  people  were  well  satisfied,  though  some 
were  offended. 

When  the  meeting  was  over,  having  a  desire  and 
concern  once  more  to  visit  Friends  in  the  lower 
counties,  Newcastle,  Kent,  and  Sussex,  among  whom 
I  had  not  travelled  for  nearly  twenty  years,  and 
being  now  a  little  better  in  health  than  I  had  been, 
I  set  out  from  my  home,  and  went  to  Chester,  and 
from  thence  to  Wilmington  and  Newcastle,  where  we 
had  meetings ;  William  Hammond  being  with  me. 
We  had  meetings  at  George's  creek,  Duck  creek,  and 
Little  creek,  and  proceeded  to  Motherkill,  where  I 
had  a  large,  open  time  in  preaching  the  gospel  to  the 
people,  which  divers  of  them  received  with  gladness. 
There  were  many,  not  of  our  Society,  who  were  very 
sober  and  attentive,  a  door  being  open  among  them ; 
yet,  notwithstanding  there  may  be  much  openness 
both  in  speakers  and  hearers,  I  have  observed  with 
sorrow  that  there  are  but  few  who  retain  the  truth, 
so  as  to  be  really  converted;  many  are  convinced, 
but  few  converted  and  come  to  be  regenerated  or 
born  again,  as  our  Saviour  taught. 

From  Motherkill  I  went  back  to  Little  creek  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  391 

Buck  creek,  and  from  thence  to  Appoquinimink  to 
the  burial  of  a  Friend's  son,  who  died  of  the  small- 
pox ;  on  which  occasion  we  had  a  solid  meeting,  the 
mournful  relations  being  thankful  for  our  company. 
I  then  went  to  John  M'Cool's,  and  to  Newcastle; 
where  we  had  a  large,  open  meeting  to  the  satisfac- 
tion of  divers  ;  though  I  was  very  weakly  and  poorly, 
as  to  my  health,  so  that  it  was  hard  for  me  to  stoop 
to  take  anything  from  the  ground,  and  with  difficulty 
I  walked  from  the  Friend's  house  to  the  meeting; 
but  being  helped  by  grace  and  carried  through  the 
service  of  the  meeting  beyond  my  expectation,  was, 
with  divers  others,  truly  thankful  to  God  the  Father, 
and  Christ,  my  Lord  and  Saviour. 

From  Newcastle  I  went  to  Wilmington,  had  a 
meeting  there,  and  to  Newark,  to  the  marriage  of 
Alexander  Seaton.  The  meeting  was  uncommonly 
large,  and  to  general  satisfaction. 

From  Newark  I  went  to  Center  Monthly  Meeting, 
and  to  Kennet,  where  was  a  very  large  meeting. 
Here  divers  who  had  professed  among  us,  refrained 
coming  to  the  public  meetings  for  divine  worship ; 
with  whom  next  day  we  had  a  meeting,  wherein  the 
evil  consequence  of  forsaking  the*  assembling  our- 
selves together  was  spoken  to,  and  that  it  would  be 
a  great  hurt  to  the  young  and  rising  generation,  and 
themselves  also ;  being  a  bad  example  to  them,  and 
contrary  to  the  advice  and  counsel  of  the  holy  apostle, 
"  Not  to  forsake  the  assembling  ourselves  together, 
as  the  manner  of  some  is." 


392  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

From  Ken  net  I  went  to  Concord,  to  the  burial  of 
.Benjamin  Mendenhall,  where  we  had  a  large  and 
solid  meeting,  several  lively  testimonies  being  borne 
therein.^  This  Friend  was  a  worthy  elder  and  a  ser- 
viceable man  in  our  Society,  and  one  of  the  early 
settlers  in  Pennsylvania;  a  man  given  to  hospitality, 
and  a  good  example  to  his  family,  and  hath  left  divers 
hopeful  children  surviving  him. 

The  night  before  this  meeting  I  lodged  at  the 
widow  Gilpin's,  whose  husband,  Joseph  Gilpin,  was 
lately  deceased.  There  was  true  Christian  love  and 
friendship  between  us  for  above  fifty  years.  When 
first  I  saw  Joseph  in  Pennsylvania,  he  lived  in  a  cave 
in  the  earth,  where  we  enjoyed  each  other's  company 
in  the  love  and  fear  of  God.  This  Friend  had  fifteen 
children,  whom  he  lived  to  see  brought  up  to  the 
states  of  men  and  women,  and  all  but  two  married 
well,  and  to  his  mind. 

From  Concord  I  went  to  Wilmington,  and  after 
meeting  to  Newcastle,  where  with  George  Hogg,  I 
went  over  the  river  Delaware  into  Penn's-neck,  and 
had  a  meeting  at  James  Wilson's.  Then  to  Salem 
and  Cohansey,  where  I  had  several  meetings  at  Green- 
wich, and  at  the"  head  of  Alloway's  creek ;  also  at 
David  Davis's,  where  the  people  kindly  lent  us  the 
benches  of  their  meeting-house,  and  many  of  them 
came  and  were  very  attentive ;  after  which  I  went 
to  Pilesgrove,  and  had  a  meeting  there,  and  to  Wood- 
bury creek,  and  from  thence  home,  having  travelled 
about  five  hundred  miles  in  this  journey.  I  stayed 
at  and  about  home  for  some  time. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  393 

I  was  at  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Burli  Jgton  in  the 
Seventh  month ;  in  going  to  which  my  horse  started 
and  threw  me,  and  hurt  my  shoulder  and  hip  badly, 
of  which  I  did  not  recover  for  above  half  a  year. 

This  meeting  was  very  large,  and  though  I  was 
outwardly  in  pain,  yet  in  the  sense  of  the  love  and 
goodness  of  God  and  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
I  was,  with  many  others,  much  comforted  in  spirit. 

From  Burlington  I  travelled  to  Shrewsbury,  having 
several  meetings  by  the  way;  as  at  Bordentown, 
Crosswicks,  Trenton,  etc.  This  journey  I  rode  in 
much  pain ;  but  the  satisfaction  I  had  in  meetings, 
through  the  spirit  and  power  of  the  Most  High,  made 
amends  for  all  the  labor  and  pain  I  underwent.  I 
bless  the  sacred  name  of  God,  and  may  I  do  it  for- 
ever 1  I  made  what  haste  I  could  home,  being  in 
pain  with  my  fall,  and  tarried  at  home  most  of  the 
winter,  which  was  one  of  the  longest  and  hardest 
known  in  these  parts  ,by  some  of  the  oldest  livers  ; 
people  being  frozen  to  death  in  several  places,  and 
many  sheep  and  cattle  perishing,  and  much  of  the 
winter  grain  killed  with  the  frost,  so  that  there  was 
some  apprehension  of  a  want  of  bread  :  all  which  I 
took  to  be  warnings  of  the  just  and  righteous  judg- 
ments of  God  for  the  ingratitude,  pride,  and  other 
sins  and  iniquities  of  the  people,  of  which  I  was  at 
many  times  and  places  concerned  to  put  them  in 
mind.  How  well  would  it  be  if  the  people  would  lay 
the  judgments  of  the  Most"  High  to  heart;  and  when 
they  are  abroad  in  the  earth,  that  the  inhabitants 
thereof  would  learn  righteousness  ! 


394  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

After  this  winter  I  was  at  a  General  Meeting  at 
Germantown,  and  at  meetings  at  North  Wales,  Hors- 
ham, and  Byberry,  and  from  thence,  with  Joseph  Gil- 
bert, went  to  Burlington,  and  was  at  a  marriage,  and 
then  returned  home. 

In  the  Second  month  I  was  under  a  religious  en- 
gagement to  visit  the  meetings  of  Friends  in  Gloucester 
and  Salem  counties,  in  West  Jersey ;  and  the  19th  of 
said  month  I  went  over  Delaware  river,  and  was  at 
Haddonfield  on  a  First  day,  and  Third  day  at  Chester, 
Fourth  o^ay  had  a  meeting  at  the  house  of  Josiah 
Foster,  and  Fifth  day  at  Evesham  ;  from  which  meet- 
ing I  went  to  John  Estaugh's,  Ebenezer  Large  and 
Samuel  Jordan  being  with  me.  In  the  morning  we 
went  to  Woodbury  creek  meeting,  and  next  day  down 
to  Salem,  in  order  for  the  Yearly  Meeting,  which 
began  on  the  26th  of  the  Second  month,  and  was  an 
extraordinarily  solid  meeting,  the  divine  presence  and 
glory  being  richly  manifested  amongst  us. 

From  Salem  I  went  in  company  with  John  Evans 
and  Elizabeth  Stevens,  to  Alloway's  creek  and  Co- 
hansey,  where  we  had  meetings,  I  believe  to  the  satis- 
faction of  many.  Here  I  parted  with  said  Friends, 
and  not  being  well,  I  stayed  at  Greenwich,  and  they 
went  to  David  Davis's,  in  order  for  Pilesgrove  meeting. 

The  3d  of  the  Third  month,  being  the  first  of  the 
week,  I  was  at  Cohansey  meeting,  which  was  solid  and 
weighty ;  in  which  the  mighty  works  of  God  and  his 
wonderful  power  were  set  forth  to  the  people  in  divers 
respects. 


THOMAS  CHVLKLEY.  395 

First;  As  to  the  work  of  the  creation  of  the  heavens 
and  the  earth,  and  of  man  to  govern  in  the  earth, 
reserving  to  himself  the  government  of  man,  to  whom 
he  gave  a  law,  for  the  breach  of  which  he  was  turned 
out  of  paradise,  and  brought  death  into  tne  world. 

Second ;  Notwithstanding  man's  fall,  God  ha,d  love, 
mercy,  and  compassion  towards  him,  and  promised 
that  the  seed  of  the  woman  should  bruise  the  head 
of  the  serpent,  who  led  them  astray;  which  seed  is 
Christ,  whom  all  are  commanded  to  hear,  believe,  and 
follow,  in  the  practice  of  his  holy  doctrine,  which  is 
contained  in  his  words  spoken  to  his  immediate  dis- 
ciples and  apostles,  and  likewise  made  known  and 
revealed  in  our  hearts. 

Third;  That  now  in  our  day  his  righteous. judg- 
ments are  abroad  in  the  earth,  as  the  sword,  and  a 
threatening  of  famine,  or  want  of  bread  :  all  which 
was  spoken  in  the  tender  love  and  fear  of  God  and 
faith  of  Christ,  and  all  were  entreated  to  lay  these 
things  to  heart,  and  "  Turn  to  the  Lord,  and  he  will 
have  mercy ;  and  to  our  God,  and  he  will  abundantly 
pardon."  In  this  meeting  God  was  glorified  and  his 
name  magnified,  through  the  assistance  of  the  spirit 
of  his  dear  Son,  our  Lord. 

From  Cohansey  I  went  to  Salem,  and  to  David 
Davis's,  where  we  had  a  meeting,  at  which  were 
several  people  of  divers  professions,  who  were  satis- 
fied and  edified  therein  ;  and  thence  we  went  to  Piles- 
grove  meeting,  afterwards  into  Penn's-neck,  and  had 
a  good  open  meeting  at  the  widow  Hugh's,  and  so  to 


396  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Woodbury  creek  meeting,  which  I  hope  was  service- 
able. After  this  I  went  home  with  my  friend  James 
Lord's  widow,  who,  with  Joseph  Clews  and  her  sister 
Ann  Cooper,  went  with  me  to  Gloucester  jail,  where 
we  visited  one  under  sentence  of  death  for  stealing. 
I  asked  him  if  he  truly  repented  of  that  sin  of  stealing, 
of  which  he  had  been  so  often  guilty  ?  He  told  me 
he  hoped  he  had,  and  was  willing  to  die.  He  was 
recommended  to  the  grace  of  God,  and  to  keep  in  an 
humble  frame  of  mind,  and  beg  mercy  of  the  Almighty 
for  the  sake  of  Christ,  for  all  his  sins.  While  a  Friend 
was  praying  by  him,  he  was  broken  into  tenderness. 

Here  the  aforesaid  Friends  parted  from  me;  I  cross- 
ing the  river  Delaware  to  Philadelphia,  and  so  home 
to  Frankford.  I  was  at  ten  meetings  in  this  journey, 
besides  the  Yearly  Meeting  at  Salem,  and  travelled 
about  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles ;  but  travelling  was 
painful  to  my  body :  for  now  I  more  and  more  felt 
the  effects  of  many  old  falls  and  bruises,  which  much 
disabled  and  hurt  me  in  riding. 

In  the  Fourth  month  I  was  at  several  meetings 
about  or  near  home,  as  at  Fairhill,  Germantown,  a 
meeting  at  Thomas  Roberts';  and  also  at  Philadelphia. 
In  the  beginning  of  the  Fifth  month  I  visited  Friends' 
meetings  at  Darby,  Merion,  and  Haverford ;  at  the 
last  place  the  meeting  was  large  and  very  open; 
wherein  the  mighty  power  of  God  was  exalted  over 
all,  and  it  was  plainly  manifested,  that  if  there  was 
any  virtue,  or  any  good  gift  or  genius  in  the  creature, 
it  derived  its  excellency  from  the  Creator ;  ai.d  that 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  397 

man,  in  his  best  capacity,  in  either  natural  or  spiritual 
attainments,  has  no  cause  to  boast  or  glory  in  any- 
thing which  he,  as  an  instrument  in  the  divine  hand, 
might  help  to  perform ;  wherefore  we  ought  to  humble 
ourselves  under  the  mighty  hand  of  God,  attributing 
no  glory  to  self,  or  the  creature ;  but  all  glory  and 
praise  to  the  Creator,  who  is  in  and  over  all  blessed 
forever. 

The  20th  of  the  Fifth  month,  I  set  forward  on  a 
journey,  in  order  to  visit  Friends  at  and  near  Bur- 
lington, and  was  next  day  at  a  meeting  at  Bristol, 
which  was  large,  considering  the  heat  of  the  weather, 
and  the  shortness  of  the  notice.  On  Fourth  day,  the 
22d,  I  was  at  Mount  Holly,  at  the  burial  of  our  ancient 
friend,  Kestored  Lippincot :  he  was,  as  I  understood, 
nearly  a  hundred  years  of  age,  and  had  upwards  of 
two  hundred  children,  grandchildren,  and  great- 
grandchildren, many  of  whom  were  at  his  funeral; 
the  meeting  was  large,  and  thought  to  be  serviceable. 
After  this  meeting,  I  went  with  a  few  choice  Friends 
to  visit  Susanna  Fearon,  who  had  been  long  ill ;  in 
which  visit  we  were  favored  with  the  divine  presence 
and  goodness  of  the  Most  High ;  for  which  we  returned 
him  thanks  and  praise ;  we  then  went  to  Burlington, 
and  next  day  had  a  meeting,  which  was  an  acceptable 
opportunity  to  many. 

Next  First  day,  being  the  27th  of  the  month,  we 
had  a  good  solid  meeting  at  Trenton ;  and  I  went, 
with  divers  Friends,  to  Bristol,  and  so^ome  to  Frank- 
ford  ;  and  was  thankful  to  the  Almighty  for  the  grace 
34 


398  THE   JOURNAL    OF      » 

which  he  was  pleased  to  bestow  upon  me,  a  poor 
worm ;  and  that,  considering  the  extreme  heat,  I  had 
my  health  better  than  usual.  After  coming  home,  I 
visited  meetings  at  Philadelphia,  Haddonfield,  Frank- 
ford,  etc. 

In  the  Sixth  month  there  was  a  great  mortality  in 
Philadelphia,  and  many  were  taken  away ;  on  a  Fifth 
day  I  was  concerned  to  put  the  people  in  mind  of  it, 
and  of  their  own  mortality,  and  exhorted  them  to 
prepare  for  it,  they  not  knowing  whose  turn  it  might 
be  next,  nor  the  hour  when  death  might  come  to  their 
own  habitations  ;  and  was  concerned  in  the  same  way, 
at  several  large  burials.  In  the  meeting  at  Philadel- 
phia, they  were  told  it  was  better  to  fall  into  the  hands 
of  the  Lord  than  into  the  hands  of  men  :  and  that  since 
we  had  been  settled  in  this  province  of  Pennsylvania, 
we  were  preserved  from  the  hands  of  men ;  there  having 
never  been  an  enemy  in  it,  in  a  warlike  way ;  our  de- 
pendence being  in  Providence,  and  our  principle  against 
war  and  against  spilling  human  blood  by  wars  and 
fighting,  according  to  the  doctrineof  Christ,  the  peace- 
able Saviour ;  wherefore  I  believe  the  hand  of  God  was 
manifested  in  preserving  us  in  peace ;  yet  I  would  not 
be  understood  to  be  against  the  magistrates  exercising 
the  power  committed  to  them,  according  to  just  law; 
but  national  wars,  woful  experience  teacheth,  are  de- 
structive to  the  peaceable  religion  of  Jesus,  to  trade, 
wealth,  health,  and  happiness.  Our  dear  Lord  preached 
peace  to  the  p§ople,  and  against  wars ;  telling  his  fol- 
lowers, That  they  must  love  and  pray  for  their  ene- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  399 

mies,  and  rather  take  a  stroke  or  a  blow,  than  give 
one ;  and  that  they  should  not  resist  evil ;  which 
peaceable  doctrine  of  Christ,  the  Jews  could  not 
away  with  ;  no,  no,  by  no  means  :  "  Oh  !  "  say  they, 
"  If  we  let  this  man  alone,  the  Romans  will  come  and 
take  away  our  place  and  nation  : "  just  as  the  people 
now  say  in  this  province,  to  those  peaceable  men  who, 
for  the  sake  of  Christ  and  his  doctrine,  cannot  use  the 
sword:  "The  Romans  will  come  and  take  our  country, 
if  we  do  not  build  forts  and  castles,  and  have  military 
preparations."  I  wish  it  were  not  true,  that  some  who 
profess  this  peaceable  principle,  too  much  endeavor  to 
smother,  stifle,  and  keep  under  this  peaceable  doctrine, 
through  a  slavish  fear  and  distrusting  divine  Provi- 
dence, which  may  cause  his  hand  to  deliver  us  to  the 
Romans  indeed ;  at  which  I  should  not  wonder,  since 
we  distrust  Him  who  hath  hitherto  preserved  us, 
without  our  preparing  for  war,  for  more  than  fifty 
years.  To  which  I  know  it  is  objected :  "  But  now 
there  are  abundance  of  people  who  are  not  of  that 
principle."  I  answer,  then  why  did  they  come  among 
us,  if  they  could  not  trust  themselves  with  our  prin- 
ciples, which  they  knew,  or  might  have  known,  if 
they  would  ?  The  king  gave  the  province,  and  the 
government  of  it,  to  our  worthy  proprietor,  William 
Penn  ;  who  was  a  man  of  this  peaceable  principle ; 
for  which  the  heathens  loved  him  and  honor  his  name 
and  memory  to  this  day,  and  those  of  his  Society  and 
principles ;  whereof  I  am  a  living  witness.  The  sense 
of  the  sweetness  and  social  life  that  the  first  settlers 


400  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

of  the  province  of  Pennsylvania  and  the  city  of  Phila- 
delphia lived  in,  makes  me  express  myself  in  this 
manner.  Oh  !  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  and 
country  did  but  live  and  dwell  in  .that  first  love,  and 
hold  it  fast ;  then  I  believe  that  the  Almighty  would 
not  suffer  any  to  take  our  crown  :  which  crown  is 
righteousness,  peace,  and  love,  through  true  faith ; 
which  true  faith  works  by  love  in  Christ  Jesus. 

On  the  last  day  of  the  Fifth  month,  I  acquainted 
my  friends  of  the  Monthly  Meeting  of  Philadelphia, 
with  a  concern  I  had  been  some  time  under,  to  visit 
the  people  in  the  Virgin  Islands,  and  more  particularly 
in  Anguilla  and  Tortola ;  in  order  to  preach  the  gospel 
of  our*  Lord  Jesus  Christ  freely,  to  those  who  might 
have  a  desire  to  hear,  as  the  Lord  should  be  pleased 
to  open  my  way.  My  friends  having  unity  with  me 
therein,  at  their  next  meeting  gave  me  a  certificate 
of  their  concurrence  :  soon  after  which,  having  settled 
my  affairs  and  taken  leave  of  my  dear  wife  and 
daughter,  and  the  rest  of  my  family  and  friends,  on 
the  19th  day  of  the  Seventh  month,  I  embarked  at 
Philadelphia  in  the  sloop  "John,"  Peter  Blunder, 
master,  bound  for  the  island  of  Tortola. 

We  sailed  down  the  river  and  came  to  anchor  near 
Christiana  creek  that  night,  in  which  there  was  a 
violent  storm,  which  drove  several  vessels  on  the 
marshes ;  so  that  when  the  tide  ebbed,  one  might 
walk  round  them.  Next  day  we  sailed  to  Keedy  isl- 
and, where  we  waited  for  a  fair  wind  :  we  sailed  down 
the  bay  in  company  with  two  sloops,  one  bound  for 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  401 

Bermuda,  the  other  for  the  island  of  Christopher's ; 
and  left  the  Capes  on  the  23d  day  of  the  month,  and 
in  eighteen  days  from  that  time  fell  in  with  the  island 
of  Thomas,  and  in  one  day  more  turned  up  to  Tortola. 

In  this  voyage  we  saw  nine  sail  of  vessels ;  but 
spoke  with  none  of  them :  had  a  rough  passage,  the 
wind  being  high  and  contrary  above  a  week,  and 
much  rain ;  yet  through  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God, 
I  was  preserved  above  all  fear,  except  the  holy  fear 
of  the  living  Lord,  in  which  I  blessed  his  holy  name. 

On  the  12th  day  of  the  Eighth  month,  John  Pick- 
ering, the  owner  of  the  sloop,  who  was  likewise  gov- 
ernor of  the  Island,  with  his  spouse,  met  me  at  the 
water-side,  and  lovingly  embraced  me,  and  led  me  up 
to  their  house,  where  we  had  a  meeting  the  same 
evening;  and  on  the  15th  of  the  month,  being  the 
Fifth  day  of  the  week,  we  had  a  large,  satisfactory 
meeting,  at  which  were  many  people,  divers  of  them 
not  of  our  profession  ;  and  I  think  the  good  hand  of 
the  Lord  was  with  us.  I  was  concerned  in  this  meeting 
to  show  that  the  last  dispensation  of  God  to  mankind,  in 
and  through  his  dear  Son,  is  a  spiritual  dispensation, 
a  dispensation  of  pure,  divine  love,  which  is  to  last 
and  be  with  the  true  believers  in  Christ  forever,  accord- 
ing to  his  own  doctrine  in  the  ]$ew  Testament. 

On  the  First  day  of  the  week  and  the  18th  of  the 
month,  we  had  another  meeting,  larger  than  the 
former,  and  the  governor  told  me  he  had  never  seen 
so  large  a  gathering  on  the  island,  on  any  occasion. 
My  spirit  was  much  set  at  liberty  in  this  meeting, 
34* 


402  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  great  openness  and  brokenness  was  among  the 
people,  so  that  the  gospel  was  freely  and  largely  de- 
3lared  to  them.  The  case  of  Cornelius  and  of  the 
apostle  Peter  going  to  his  house,  was  treated  of,  with 
other  matters  tending  to  edification.  I  was  so  af- 
fected with  the  power,  spirit,  and  grace  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  that  when  the  meeting  was  over  I  with- 
drew, and  in  private  poured  out  my  soul  before  the 
Lord,  and  begged  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  mani- 
fest his  power  and  glorious  gospel  more  and  more. 
At  this  meeting  there  was  a  woman  who  had  suffered 
much  for  going  to  meetings ;  her  husband  being  a 
proud,  haughty  man,  had  beaten  her  to  the  drawing 
of  blood  ;  he  also  drew  his  sword  and  presented  his 
pistol,  with  threatenings  to  kill  her ;  but  she  thanked 
God  that  she  was  resigned  to  lose  her  life  for  Christ's 
sake.  She  expressed  some  words  in  supplication  in 
this  meeting  in  a  broken  manner.  There  was  also 
a  young  woman,  whose  father  had  turned  her  out  of 
doors  for  coming  to  Friends'  meetings. 

I  went  with  the  governor  and  his  wife,  to  visit  a 
few  families  up  in  the  mountains,  and  had  a  meeting, 
in  which  was  great  brokenness  and  tenderness  in  the 
time  of  prayer. 

On  Second  day  w.«  visited  several  families  in  the 
division  called  the  road,  to  which  we  went  by  water 
in  a  coble,  somewhat  like  our  canoes  ;  there  were  four 
of  these  in  company,  five  persons  in  two  of  them,  and 
seven  in  the  other  two.  In  this  visiting  of  families, 
the  people  came  and  filled   the  rooms,  and  we  had 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  403 

seasonable  meetings,  in  which  the  people  were  so 
loving  and  well  affected,  that  we  could  seldom  go  in 
a  friendly  way  to  visit  our  friends,  but  they  would 
presently  fill  their  rooms,  and  we  scarcely  could  de- 
part, without  having  a  time  of  worship. 

Next  day  we  went  to  visit  a  young  man's  habita- 
tion, and  the  neighbors  coming  in  as  usual,  we  had  a 
good  meeting. 

I  cannot  but  note  that  the  hand  of  the  Lord  God 
was  with  us,  and  I  felt  his  visitation  as  fresh  and 
lively  as  ever ;  for  which  I  was  truly  thankful,  and 
thought  if  I  never  saw  my  habitation  again,  I  was 
satisfied  in  this  gospel  call  and  religious  visit;  though 
being  in  years,  it  was  sometimes  a  little  troublesome 
to  the  flesh ;  being  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  my  age, 
and  stiff  in  all  my  limbs  from  hurts  with  many  falls 
and  bruises.  As  to  my  health,  I  had  it  better  now 
than  for  several  years  past ;  for  which  I  am  humbly 
thankful  to  Him,  in  whom  we  live  and  have  our  being ; 
glory  to  his  name,  through  his  dear  Son. 

Third  and  Fourth  days,  visited  several  families, 
and  had  divers  good  opportunities  :  in  one  of  those 
meetings,  a  young  man  named  Jeremiah  Martin, 
spoke  a  few  words  in  prayer ;  in  which  season  we 
were,  I  think,  all  broken  into  tenderness ;  so  that  in 
truth  we  might  say,  that  the  power  and  Spirit  of 
Christ  was  with  and  among  us,  and  his  great  name 
was  praised. 

Fifth  day  being  the  week-day  meeting,  it  was  larger 
than  was  ever  known  on  a  week-day  in  that  place ; 


404  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

there  being  divers  Friends  who  came  from  an  island 
called  Joseph  Vandike's,  and  many  neighbors  and 
sober  people,  who  were  very  attentive. 

Sixth  day  was  at  several  people's  houses  and  had 
religious  meetings  ;  which  we  could  not  well  avoid, 
the  people  were  so  loving  and  desirous  to  hear  what 
might  be  spoken  to  them ;  many  of  them  being  like 
thirsty  ground  wanting  rain,  and  our  good  and  gra- 
cious Lord  gave  us  celestial  showers,  which  were 
refreshing  to  us,  and  thankfully  received. 

Seventh  day  I  went  with  several  Friends  to  the 
house  of  one  who,  with  his  wife,  had  been  at  our 
meeting  on  Fifth  day ;  he  kindly  invited  me  to  his 
house ;  his1  name  was  Blake ;  he  and  his  wife  were 
loving  ;  and  though  he  had  formerly  written  against 
Friends,  he  was  now  better  informed.  From  his 
house  I  went  to  Townsend  Bishop's,  and  there  being 
many  Friends  from  another  island,  we  had  a  most 
comfortable,  tender  evening  meeting,  in  which  we 
offered  up  a  sacrifice  of  praise  and  thanksgiving  to 
the  holy  name  of  the  living  eternal  God,  and  his  dear 
Son  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  through  the 
influence  of  the  holy  Spirit,  one  God  over  all  blessed 
forever. 

On  the  First  day  of  the  week,  being  the  25th  of 
the  month,  we  had  a  larger  meeting  than  ordinary; 
and  in  expectation  of  larger  meetings  than  usual,  the 
governor,  John  Pickering,  had  made  several  new  forms 
to  accommodate  the  people  at  his  own  house,  which 
he  sent  six  miles  on  men's  heads,  the  roads  not  being 


THOMAS   CIIALKLEF.  405 

passable  for  carts,  etc.  This  I  think  worth  noting 
that  their  zeal  may  be  had  in  remembrance,  and  that 
others  may  be  stirred  up  to  more  religious  concern, 
who  will  scarcely  go  six  steps  to  a  religious  meeting, 
or  will  not  go  at  all.  In  this  meeting  I  was  concerned 
to  speak  of  and  set  forth  the  doctrine  of  Christ,  which 
he  preached  on  the  mount,  contained  in  the  fifth, 
sixth,  and  seventh  chapters  of  Matthew  ;  and  to  press 
the  people  to  come  to  the  practice  of  what  is  there 
commanded  by  the  great  Author  of  the  Christian 
religion ;  and  to  show  that  the  despised  Quakers  had 
learned,  out  of  that  excellent  sermon,  much  of  their 
religion,  which  displeases  many  people,  and  divers  of 
the  great  men  of  the  world ;  and  to  urge  them  to  re- 
gard the  grace  of  God,  which  bringeth  salvation,  and 
hath  appeared  to  all  men.  In  this  meeting,  Dorcas, 
the  wife  of  John  Pickering,  spoke  to  the  people  in 
public  testimony,  to  which  they  gave  good  attention. 

After  meeting  we  returned  by  water  from  the  Road 
Harbor  to  Fat  Hog  bay,  where  John  Pickering  lives, 
being  upwards  of  twenty  of  us  in  company  in  three 
cobles. 

These  two  weeks  I  spent  in  the  island  of  Tortola, 
to  my  great  satisfaction. 


The  Journal  of  this  worthy  Friend  ending  here, 
the  following  supplement  is  collected  from  some  notes 
sent  by  a  Friend  of  that  island,  giving  an  account  of 
his  further  services,  sickness  and  death. 


406  THE   JOURNAL   OP 


THE  SUPPLEMENT. 

« 

On  the  Second  day  of  the  third  week  of  his  being 
among  us,  he  visited  some  Friends  in  the  neighbor- 
hood, and  likewise  the  man  who  had  treated  his  wife 
so  cruelly  for  coming  to  Friends'  meetings. 

On  Third  day  he  was  employed  chiefly  in  writing 
to  his  family  and  friends  in  Philadelphia. 

On  Fourth  day  some  Friends  from  the  Road  came 
to  see  him,  which  prevented  his  going  out  to  visit  the 
neighbors  as  usual. 

On  Fifth  day  morning,  being  the  29th  of  the  Eighth 
month,  he  found  himself  much  indisposed ;  yet  he 
went  to  our  week-day  meeting,  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile.  When  the  meeting  broke  up,  he  had  a  hot 
fever  upon  him.  Doctor  Turnbull,  the  chief  physician 
in  our  island,  thought  it  proper  to  take  some  blood 
from  him,  and  he  being  very  willing,  it'  was  done  that 
afternoon,  and  the  fever  abated  some  time  that  night ; 
and  next  day  he  walked  about,  and  made  no  com- 
plaint until  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  evening.  About 
this  time  the  fever  returned,  and  continued  very 
severe  till  First-day  morning,  when  the  doctor  advised 
him  to  take  a  vomit,  which  he  declined  that  day, 
being  desirous  of  attending  the  meeting  which  was 
held  at  my  house,  and  was  a  large,  sweet  and  tender 
meeting ;  in  which  he  spoke  to  us  concerning  temp- 
tations, and  how  Christ  was  tempted,  and  how  to 
withstand  them ;  and  afterwards  on  the  parable  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  407 

the  great  supper,  and  other  subjects ;  ending  his 
testimony  with  the  words  of  the  apostle  Paul,  "  I 
have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course, 
I  have  kept  the  faith,  henceforth  there  is  laid  up  for 
me  a  crown  of  righteousness  :"  which  words,  and  most 
part  of  this  last  sermon,  were  delivered  in  great 
brokenness ;  from  whence  I  judged  he  was  sensible 
that  he  hao^not  long  to  live,  though  I  believe  he  was 
not  afraid  to  die. 

On  Second-day  morning  the  fever  abated  a  little, 
and  he  complied  with  the  doctor's  prescription  of 
taking  a  vomit,  which  seemed  to  have  its  proper 
effect ;  but  that  night  the  fever  returned,  and  continued 
on  him  until  he  died;  which  was  between  two  and 
three  o'clock  on  Fourth-day  morning,  the  4th  day  of 
the  Ninth  month,  being  speechless  about  seven  hours 
before. 

A  general  invitation  was  given  to  Friends  and- 
others  to  his  funeral,  where  three  testimonies  were 
borne,  all  in  great  brokenness,  under  a  just  sense  of 
our  great  loss.  After  which  he  was  decently  interred^ 
on  the  evening  of  the  said  day,  in  a  piece  of  ground 
which  is  since  given  to  Friends  for  a  burial-place, 
and  on  which  a  meeting-house  is  built  by  John  Pick- 
ering, the  governor  of  the  island  at  that  time. 

It  is  said  in  the  Scriptures,  that  the  righteous  are 
taken  away,  and  no  man  layeth  it  to  heart ;  but  I 
hope  it  may  be  truly  said,  this  was  not  the  case  at 
this  time ;  for  Friends  in  general  much  lamented 
their  great  loss,  in  being  so  soon  deprived  of  so  in- 


408     THE   JOURNAL    OF    THOMAS    CHALKLEY. 

structive  a  friend  and  elder,  whose  care  over  us  was 
very  great;  and  who,  by  his  loving  and  exemplary 
life,  and  tenderness  to  people  of  all  ranks  and  profes- 
sions, engaged  the  love  and  respect  of  almost  all  the 
people  in  the  island.  We  are  fully  assured  that  his 
labor  among  us  was  not  in  vain,  and  that  many  have 
felt  the  good  effects  of  it;  so  that  we  believe  some 
of  the  last  words  he  spoke  in  public  may  justly  be 
applied  to  him,  and  that  he  now  enjoys  a  crown  of 
righteousness. 


GOD'S  GREAT  LOVE  UNTO  MANKIND, 

THROUGH   JESUS   CHRIST,    OUR   LORD. 


And  there  came  a  voice  out  of  the  cloud,  saying,  This  (».  e.  Christ) 
13  my  beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him.  —  Luke  ix.  35. 

If  ye  love  me,  keep  jay  commandments. — John  xiv.  16. 

For  God  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his  only-begotten  Son, 
that  whosoever  believed  in  him  might  not  perish,  but  have  ever- 
lasting life.  —  John  iii.  16. 

PREFACE. 

To  the  Reader. 

In  sincerity  and  unfeigned  love,  both  to  God  and 
man,  were  these  lines  penned.  I  desire  thee  to 
peruse  them  in  the  same  love,  and  then,  peradven- 
ture,  thou  may  est  find  some  sweetness  in  them.  Ex- 
pect not  learned  phrases  or  florid  expressions ;  for 
many  times  heavenly  matter  is  hid  in  mean  sentences, 
or  wrapped  up  in  plain  expressions.  It  sometimes 
pleases  God  to  reveal  the  mysteries  of  his  kingdom, 
through  the  grace  of  his  Son,  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
to  babes  and  sucklings ;  and  he  oftentimes  ordains 
praise  out  of  their  mouths ;  one  of  which,  reader,  I 
desire  thou  mayest  be. 

My  intent  in  writing  these  sheets  is,  that  they, 
through  the  help  of  God's  grace  and  the  good  Spirit 

35  (409) 


410  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

of  Christ,  may  stir  up  true  love  in  thee;  first  to  God 
and  Christ,  and  then  to  man  :  so  thou  wilt  be  fit  to 
be  espoused  to  him,  who  is  altogether  lovely,  that  is 
Christ,  which  is  the  desire  of  him  who  is  thy  friend, 
more  in  heart  than  word.  Thomas  Chalkley. 


I  have  been  concerned  for  the  good  and  welfare 
of  the  children  of  men  from  my  youthful  days,  and 
tasted  of  the  infinite  love  of  God  in  and  through  his 
dear  Son,  the  holy  Lamb  Jesus,  fvho  laid  down  his 
life  for  the  sins  of  the  world ;  and  in  my  tender  years 
reaped  great  benefit  through  faith  in  and  obedience 
unto  him.  And  I  have  found  by  experience,  that  one 
without  the  other,  to  wit,  faith  without  works,  will 
not  answer  the  end  of  the  great  love  of  Christ  Jesus, 
our  Lord,  who  offered  himself  a  sacrifice  for  all  man- 
kind ;  not  for  people  to  live  in  sin,  but  to  take  away 
the  sin  of  the  world.  In  a  word,  "  Faith  without 
works  is  dead."  I  found  it  so,  and  so  must  all  true 
believers  in  the  Son  of  God. 

Christ  first  loved  us,  and  paid  that  debt  for  us, 
which,  of  ourselves,  we  were  not  able  to  do.  Oh  ! 
his  infinite  love  hath  oftentimes  melted  my  soul  into 
tenderness. 

Methinks  it  is  a  great  pity  that  the  sons  of  men 
should  requite  evil  for  good,  or  disobedience  for  such 
gracious  obedience.  I  would  to  God,  that  all  believ- 
ers in  Christ  would  live  in  that  fear  of  God  and  that 
love  to  Christ  which  keep  the  heart  clean ;  because 
nothing  unclean  can  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  411 

I  do  not  mean  a  slavish  fear,  but  fear  that  is  wrought 
by  love ;  for  they  who  love  the  Lord,  the  great,  ever- 
lasting God,  will  fear  to  offend  him. 

This  is  the  matter  that  chiefly  concerns  my  mind 
at  this  time  :  the  necessity  of  love  to  God  and  Christ, 
and  one  another.  "  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard, 
neither  have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man  the  things 
that  God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him." 
For  my  part  I  cannot  pretend  to  tell  thee,  oh,  man ! 
to  the  full ;  but  only  a  little  to  hint  at  it ;  it  is  "  Joy 
unspeakable,  and  full  of  glory : "  but  then  we  must 
love  him  so  as  to  keep  his  commandments.  This  is 
the  work  that  I  am  very  earnest  in  pressing  people 
to,  whether  youth  or  aged  :  it  is  not  too  soon  for  the 
young,  nor  too  late  for  the  aged  to  begin  this  work 
of  obedience,  through  faith  and  love  to  God  and 
Christ,  if  his  spirit  is  reproving  or  striving  in  them. 
But  it  is  more  honorable  and  acceptable  for  a  man 
to  give  up  the  strength  of  his  days  to  serve  the  Lord 
and  to  remember  his  Creator  in  the  days  of  his  youth, 
before  sin  is  rooted  and  grown  in  him;  for  then  it 
will  be  much  more  labor  to  get  the  root  of  unright- 
eousness plucked  up. 

In  that  ability  which  God  hath  given  me,  I  would 
endeavor  to  stir  up  all  to  serve  him,  and  to  be  in 
good  earnest,  and  not  to  put  the  day  of  God,  even 
the  mighty  Jehovah,  afar  off;  but  to  love  the  Lord 
unfeignedly,  and  with  true  obedience ;  since  that  sac- 
rifice only  is  acceptable  to  him ;  that  is  to  say,  to  love 
him  in  deed  and  in  truth  more  than  in  word  and  with 


412  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

tongue.  The  Lord,  by  his  servant  complained  against 
a  people  in  old  time;  "They  draw  nigh  to -me  with 
their  mouths,  and  with  their  lips  they  do  honor  me : " 
but  their  great  misery  was,  their  hearts  were  far 
from  him.  They  did  not  love  him  with  their  whole 
hearts  ;  this  was  their  fault :  this  thing  is  also  a 
great  evil  in  the  sight  of  God  in  our  age ;  and  is  too 
frequent  in  England,  the  land  of  my  nativity,  as  also 
in  other  islands  and  places  beyond  the  seas.  What 
lamentation  shall  be  taken  up  for  such  as  do  so  mock 
the  Lord,  the  great  God  of  love?  Surely  he  will 
render  vengeance,  as  in  flames  of  fire,  upon  all  the 
wicked  and  ungodly,  and  those  that  forget  him.  It 
is  not  by  saying,  but  by  doing,  that  we  are  justified 
through  faith  in  Christ;  not  he  that  saith,  Lord, 
Lord,  only,  but  he  that  doth  his  will  also,  shall 
enter  the  kingdom. 

The  will  of  God  and  of  Christ  his  Son  is,  that  we 
should  love  him  above  all;  and  in  loving  him,  we 
shall  love  one  another ;  for  Christ  saw  the  great  need 
there  was  of  loving  God  above  all,  and  also  of  loving 
one  another ;  therefore  he  answered  thus  to  him  that 
asked  which  was  the  greatest  commandment,  "  Thou 
shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  and 
with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind." 

"  This,"  says  Christ,  "  is  the  first  and  great  com- 
mandment, and  the  second  is  like  unto  it,  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  as  thyself :  on  these  two  command- 
ments hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

If  these  two  great  commandments  were  obeyed,  it 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  413 

would  answer  God's  great  love  to  us,  in  sending  his 
Son  to  bless  us.  Oh  !  the  glory  of  God,  how  it  would 
shine !  it  would  make  the  young  men  as  valiants  of 
Israel,  and  the  old  men  as  captains  of  thousands; 
then  Christ  would  reign  gloriously  indeed  in  the 
hearts  of  the  children  of  men ;  here  the  Lamb  and 
his  followers,  who  walk  in  the  light,  and  in  that  com- 
mandment, that  burns  as  a  lamp,  would  get  the  vic- 
tory over  the  devil  and  his  followers.  But,  on  the 
contrary,  the  great  error  of  mankind,  is  that  they 
talk  of  God  and  Christ  in  words ;  but  deny  him  in 
works :  nay,  some  will  not  stick  to  say,  it  is  impossi- 
ble to  keep  the  commandments  of  Christ.  It  is  too 
commonly  spoken,  and  also  believed,  that  there  is  no 
perfection  on  this  side  the  grave;  contrary  to  the 
saying  of  Christ,  "  Be  ye  perfect,  even  as  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven,  is  perfect."  Yet,  say  they,  it  is 
impossible ;  which  is  as  much  as  to  say,  Christ  is  a 
hard  master,  in  commanding  what  cannot  be  done ; 
consequently,  out  of  their  own  mouths  they  will  be 
condemned ;  for  Christ  is  not  a  hard  master ;  I  testify 
it  against  all  such  unholy  and  imperfect  believers,  in 
solid  fear  before  the  Lord;  but  according  to  such 
people's  faith  and  belief,  he  must  needs  be  hard.  Oh 
that  people  would  so  love  God  and  his  dear  Son,  as 
to  strive  to  do  his  commands;  for  it  is  impossible 
they  should  obey  if  they  neither  believe  nor  endeavor. 
Let  such  know,  that  "  Many  shall  seek,  and  shall  not 
enter ; "  much  less  shall  they  enter  if  they  do  not 
seek.     But  we  must  strive  in  obedience  to  his  will, 

35* 


414  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  by  his  assistance,  not  in  our  own  natural  will, 
"  to  enter  in  at  the  strait  gate : "  man  would  enter  in 
with  all  his  pleasant  things,  and  in  all  his  bravery 
and  gallantry;  but  God's  will  is,  that  he  should  be 
brought  low,  that  he  might  exalt  him.  Oh,  this  self 
is  a  great  enemy  to  mankind. 

My  intention  is,  to  awaken  people  out  of  the  sleep 
of  sin,  which  is  death,  and  to  stir  them  up  to  right- 
eousness, and  love  to  the  Lord  and  their  neighbor, 
even  with  their  whole  heart;  for  this  my  heart 
breathes  to,  and  supplicates  the  Lord  of  heaven; 
then  would  the  end  of  my  labor,  in  his  love,  be  an- 
swered. Great  is  the  love  of  God  in  sending  his  Son, 
and  also  in  sending  his  servants,  and  stirring  them 
up  to  arouse  people  out  of  the  sleep  of  security,  that 
they  might  see  the  danger  they  are  in,  and  how  near 
they  lie  to  the  brink  of  the  pit  of  burning.  Oh,  that 
people  would  but  seriously  consider  that  which  is 
showed  and  told  them  in  the  love  of  the  Lord,  that 
it  might  be  laid  to  heart.  Whether  they  will  hear, 
or  forbear,  God  will  be  clear,  and  his  servants  also 
will  be  clear.  But  if  we  not  only  hear,  but  also  obey, 
that  peace  which  passeth  the  understanding  of  men, 
and  which  our  Lord  giveth  to  his  followers,  will  be 
our  portion,  and  the  lot  of  our  inheritance  forever ; 
but  this  is  on  condition  of  our  obedience,  and  keeping 
the  commands  of  God ;  "  If  ye  love  me,  keep  my 
commandments,"  saith  the  Lord. 

If  people  live  in  saying,  and  not  in  doing,  in  pro- 
fessing, and  confessing,  yet  still  living  in  pride  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  415 

high-min  ledness  and  in  sin,  it  is  apparent  they  do 
not  love  Christ  Jesus,  according  to  his  own  words, 
neither  doth  he  justify  them ;  for  it  is  only  the  doers 
that  he  will  justify.  The  apostle  John  says,  "If  a 
man  says  he  loves  God,  and  yet  hateth  his  brother, 
he  is  a  liar ; "  and  by  plain  Scripture  testimony,  such 
are  not  of  God.  Moreover,  if  he  says  he  loves  Christ, 
yet  keepeth  not  his  sayings,  he  is  also  a  liar,  and  the 
truth  is  not  in  him,  or  Christ  is  not  in  him;  who  said 
"  I  am  the  truth ; "  and  thus  man  becomes  reprobate. 
Paul  writing  to  the  brethren,  saith,  "  Examine  your- 
selves, whether  vou  be  in  the  faith,  prove  your  own- 
selves  ;  know  ye  not  your  ownselves,  how  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  in  you,  except  ye  be  reprobates?"  Which 
indwelling  of  Christ  is  a  great  mystery  to  many ;  al- 
though Christ  within  which  the  apostles  preached,  is 
the  hope  of  the  saints'  glory.  And  how  earnest  was 
Christ  in  prayer  to  his  Father,  that  his  followers 
might  be  one  in  him,  and  united  together  in  one. 
Such  is  the  love  of  Christ  to  his  church  ;  and  what 
remains  on  the  church's  part,  since  Christ  has  done 
his  part  ?  Surely  is,  that  we  love  him  again ;  for, 
saith  John,  "  He  that  loveth  not  knoweth  not  God  ; 
for  God  is  love."  They  that  dwell  in  enmity,  are  not 
the  children  of  God,  but  the  children  of  Satan,  who 
always  hated  the  appearance  of  Christ,  the  light  of 
the  world ;  and  still  stirreth  up  those  who  are  led  by 
his  dark  spirit,  to  war  against  Him  and  his  seed  in  his 
children,  who  said,  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world." 
But  it  is  as  Christ  hath  said,  "  Men  love  darkness 


416  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

rathe j"  than  light ; "  and  how  strange  is  it,  seeing  the 
one  is  so  glorious,  and  the  other  so  miserable  ?  The 
reason  is  as  Christ  hath  showed,  "  because  their  deeds 
are  evil."  This  is  indeed  the  very  cause ;  for  if  their 
deeds  were  good,  they  would  love  the  light,  Christ 
Jesus,  the  Lord  of  life  and  glory;  and  bring  their 
deeds  to  him,  that  he  might  judge  them:  who  will 
give  righteous  judgment  to  every  man  according  to 
his  works.  The  righteous  will  have  their  portion  in 
the  resurrection  of  life,  joy  and  peace  in  the  Holy 
Ghost ;  but  the  wicked  in  the  resurrection  of  damna- 
tion. Oh  !  that  I  might  be  instrumental  in  the  hand 
of  the  Lord  to  open  the  eyes  of  some  who  are  spirit- 
ually blind,  that  they  might  see  the  beauty  and  the 
great  glory  of  the  dear  Son  of  God,  that  most  excel- 
lent light  whom  God  hath  prepared,  according  to  good 
old  Simeon's  testimony  of  him.  "  Thou  hast,  says  he, 
prepared  him  a  light  to  enlighten  the  gentiles,  and  to 
be  the  glory  of  thy  people  Israel."  A  glorious  light 
indeed !  Truly,  methinks  everybody  should  be  in 
love  with  him.  For  my  part,  He  is  my  chiefest  joy. 
I  would  not  part  with  him  for  all  the  pomp  and  vain- 
glory of  the  world ;  neither  would  I  have  the  shining 
beams  and  glorious  rays,  which  comfort  me  for  well 
doing,  and  discover  and  reprove  me  for  the  contrary, 
clouded  from  my  sight  and  understanding,  for  the 
finest  gold,  or  choicest  rubies.  Such  is  my  love  to 
Christ,  the  bridegroom  of  souls ;  but  by  the  way,  it 
hath  cost  me  many  a  tear,  and  many  groanings  in 
my  spirit,  before  I  came  thus  to  enjoy  Christ,  who  is 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  417 

the  beloved  of  all  the  redeemed.  May  I  never  give 
him  cause  to  withdraw  himself  from  dwelling  in  me. 
Oh  !  the  universal  love  of  Christ :  it  is  everlasting  to 
them  that  are  open-hearted  unto  him,  and  to  all  that 
will  hear  his  voice,  so  as  to  obey  it;  for,  says  he,  "  I 
stand  at  the  door  and  knock,"  that  is  the  door  of  the 
heart  of  man ;  "if  any  man  hear  my  voice,  and  open 
the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup  with 
him,  and  he  with  me."  And  John  says,  "  And  we 
have  known  and  believed  the  love  that  God  hath  to 
us  :  God  is  love,  and  he  that  dwelleth  in  love,  dwelleth 
in  God,  and  God  in  him."  A  heavenly  habitation 
and  glorious  dwelling-place !  Who  would  not  en- 
deavor to  dwell  in  love,  and  forsake  enmity,  that  they 
might  attain  unto  such  eternal  happiness,  as  to  have 
their  abode  with  the  Lord. 

This  fulnlleth  the  words  of  Christ :  "  For  he  dwell- 
eth with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you."  How  was  he  to 
be  in  them  ?  A  comforter  for  well-doing,  that  they 
might  have  the  hope  of  glory ;  and  a  reprover  for  sin, 
self-righteousness,  and  wrong  judgment.  Indeed  it 
was  the  great  love  of  God  in  thus  sending  his  beloved 
Son,  a  light  into  this  dark  world,  to  show  people  their 
evil  deeds,  and  to  condemn  sin  in  the  flesh  :  for  he  is 
the  sinful  world's  condemnation,  as  well  as  a  Saviour 
and  justifier  of  the  righteous  and  holy  believer.  The 
Jews  of  old  hated  him,  and  many  of  them  did  intend 
to  darken  his  bright  and  shining  light ;  but  some  of 
the  Jews  believed  on  him,  and  after  they  came  truly 
to  believe  on  his  name,  spread  his  gospel  of  truth  and 


418  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

glad  tidiigs  amongst  the  children  of  men,  and  also 
suffered  for  his  name's   sake.     It  is  also  said,  "  He 
came  unto  his  own,  and  his  own  received  him  not; 
but  as  many  as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  power 
to  become  the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe 
on  his  name."    But  many  of  those  that  call  themselves 
by  his  name,  trample  upon  his  light  and  appearance, 
and  despise  the  spirit  of  his  grace,  which  is  a  swift 
witness  against  evil,  and  lets  men  see  what  is  good, 
and  what  is  bad,  comforts    for  the  one,  and  brings 
judgment   and    condemnation  for  the  other.     I    can 
truly  say,  I  would  with  my  whole  heart,  that  God 
did  dwell  a  comforter  in  all,  or  Christ,  or  the  Holy 
Ghost,  or  Holy  Spirit,  which  are  all  one,  but  this  can 
never  be,  while  sin  remains  and  has  an  evil  root  in 
mankind.     "An  evil   tree    cannot   bring  forth  good 
fruit."     By  this  we  may  know  Christians  from  anti- 
christians,  and  lovers  of  Christ  from  them  that  love 
him  not :  if  we  love  him  we  become  subjects  to  him, 
subject  to  do  his  will.     It  is  a  dignified  station  to  be 
subjects  of  the  King  of  heaven,  and  if  we  love  him 
unfeignedly,  with  all  our  might  and  mind,  and  our 
neighbors  as  ourselves,  and  with  the  sword  of   the 
Spirit  valiantly  encounter  the  devil,  then  shall  we  be 
his  subjects,  and  Christ  will  receive  us  into  his  war- 
fare, and  through  him  we  shall  be  victorious,  for  the 
Lamb   and   his    followers  will   have  the  victory.     I 
would  press  people  in  love  into  this  warfare,  having 
commission  from  my  Master  and  Lord,  by  showing 
them  what  anxiety  and   distress  of  mind  they  will 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  419 

procure  to  themselves,  by  living  in  enmity  to  the 
Lord  and  his  saints.  Oh !  my  soul,  I  charge  thee 
with  all  those  that  have  any  regard  to  the  holy  Jesus, 
obey  the  commands  of  the  Lord,  and  love  his  fol- 
lowers, or  thy  neighbor  as  thyself.  Let  his  universal 
spirit  of  love  to  all  dwell  in  thee. 

I  would  have  all  to  cast  down  at  his  footstool,  that 
which  they  glory  in,  that  is  not  right  in  his  sight, 
and  do  like  the  poor  penitent  woman,  who  lay  and 
wept  at  his  feet.  She  thought  all,  little  enough  to 
part  with  to  get  into  his  favor.  Christ  himself  was 
meek  and  lowly ;  "  Learn  of  me,"  said  he.  All  power 
in  heaven  and  earth  was  given  unto  him ;  "  Take  me, 
said  he,  for  an  example ; "  when  he  washed  his 
servants'  feet.  Seeing  his  love  was  so  great  to  them 
and  is  also  to  us,  let  us  love  him  again,  not  with 
feigned  love,  but  with  love  that  may  manifest  us  to 
be  his  followers ;  and  in  it  let  us  love  one  another ; 
for  this  intent  our  Lord  issued  forth  his  royal  com- 
mand, which  is  this,  "  A  new  commandment  give  I 
unto  you,  that  ye  love  one  another,  as  I  have  loved 
you  that  ye  also  love  one  another  :  by  this  shall  all 
men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love 
for  one  another."  Christ's  love  was  unfeigned  to  his 
disciples,  nay,  to  all  the  world  in  general :  for  what 
greater  love  can  there  be,  than  for  a  man  to  lay  down 
his  life  for  his  friend ;  and  he  not  only  laid  down  his 
life  for  his  friends,  but  for  his  enemies  also.  So  that 
his  love  was  great  and  unfeigned ;  we  ought  with  the 
same  icve  to  love  him  again,  since  he  loved  us  first; 


420  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

anl  this  cannct  be  without  obedience  to  his  commands. 
Thus  we  should  love  him  and  one  another  with  true 
love,  which  is  exceedingly  precious ;  it  thinks  no  evil, 
and  we  may  be  sure  will  not  do  any  willingly  or 
knowingly.  If  a  man  seeth  his  neighbor  or  brother 
in  that  which  is  not  right,  he  prayeth  to  the  Lord  to 
help  him,  and  tenderly  admonisheth  him ;  yea,  if 
having  this  love,  he  woundeth,  his  wounds  are  faith- 
ful, for  "  Faithful  are  the  wounds  of  a  friend." 

He  that  is  thus  endued  with  love,  is  not  hindered 
from  reproving  his  brother,  but  if  there  be  a  cause,  it 
rather  stirs  him  up  to  be  faithful  therein,  without 
respect  of  persons.  The  love  that  is  raised  in  them 
that  love  the  Lord  above  all,  is  great  to  the  sons  and 
daughters  of  men :  it  doth  wonderful  things ;  it  is 
valiant  for  God ;  it  overcomes  its  enemies :  it  is  not 
overcome  with  evil,  but  it  often  overcomes  evil  with 
good :  it  smiteth  sin  in  the  gate,  that  is,  in  its  first 
appearance,  before  it  be  entered  into  man,  so  as  to 
subject  him  thereunto;  it  gets  victory  over  the  devil; 
for  he  cannot  stand  before  God's  love.  I  would  to 
God  that  people  did  but  know  the  virtue  of  love  to 
Christ,  and  one  another  in  him ;  it  would  cause  them, 
for  the  enjoyment  thereof,  to  forsake  all  manner  of 
enmity  one  against  another,  and  all  things  else,  how 
near  or  dear  soever ;  yea,  though  they  were  as  a 
right  hand  or  a  right  eye,  they  would  be  forsaken 
for  its  sake,  and  for  the  sake  of  Him  who  first  loved 
us.  Then  we  should  strive,  through  the  ability  of 
his  grace,  even  the  grace  or  spirit  which  he  told  Paul 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  421 

was  sufficient  for  him,  to  love  him  again,  and  our 
neighbor  as  ourself ;  but  this  cursed  self  is  loved  too 
much  and  our  neighbor  too  little. 

Paul,  the  apostle  of  Christ,  after  his  conversion,  did 
not  hate  his  neighbors,  nor  was  he  in  enmity  with 
them.  When  he  was  Saul,  he  oppressed  and  injured 
his  nearest  neighbors  and  chief  friends ;  for  his  blind 
zeal  was  part  of  that  body  of  sin  and  death  that  was 
upon  him,  and  from  which,  by  the  help  of  Christ's 
grace,  he  was  delivered,  and  came  to  love  his  enemies, 
and  for  their  good  hazarded  his  life ;  and,  for  his  love 
to  Christ,  laid  it  down,  as  many  holy  martyrs  have 
done  since.  Surely  they  had  not  much  regard  for 
self,  then !  It  is  a  common  expression  nowadays, 
"Every  one  for  himself,  and  God  for  us  all;"  but  if 
every  one  were  for  his  neighbor  or  his  brother,  as 
much  as  for  himself,  God  would  be  more  for  us  all. 
This  self-love  is  an  abomination  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord,  and  the  great  eternal  God  abhors  it ;  therefore 
were  the  first  and  second  commandments  given  forth, 
and  if  all  people  would  obey  these,  the  whole  law  and 
the  prophets,  yea,  and  the  gospel  too,  would  be  fulfilled. 

Self-love  is  a  great  enemy  to  man,  and  very  much 
hinders  his  eternal  happiness;  it  shutteth  the  ear 
from  hearing  the  cause  of  the  widow  and  fatherless, 
or  of  the  needy,  and  drowns  the  cry  of  the  op- 
pressed ;  to  which  we  ought  not  only  to  lend  an  ear, 
but  also  to  administer  relief  according  to  their  neces- 
sity and  our  ability.  Mankind  are  too  apt  to  join 
with  that  which  is  pleasant  to  the  eye  and  agreeable 

36 


422  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

to  the  lust  of  the  heart ;  like  Dives,  the  rich  glutton 
of  old,  who  loved  self  better  than  poor  Lazarus,  but 
do  not  consider  that  which  is  lasting,  and  would  do 
them  good  forever.  How  shall  I  express  the  excel- 
lent glory  and  eternal  sweetness  of  this  love  to  the 
Lord  and  our  neighbor  ?  Oh !  how  is  my  soul  grieved, 
and  how  doth  my  spirit  mourn  before  the  Lord,  when 
I  see  any  walk  contrary  to  the  commands  of  Christ, 
or  who  are  in  enmity  to  the  truth,  and  in  hatred  one 
to  another,  even  from  my  tender  years,  ever  since 
God  Almighty  opened  my  understanding,  and  made 
known  to  me  Him  that  is  true.  And  my  cry  hath 
been  many  times  to  him,  to  keep  and  preserve  me  in 
his  true  love  and  fear,  to  the  end  of  my  days ;  in  love 
both  to  him  and  to  the  brethren,  more  especially  to 
those  that  do  his  will,  although  there  is  universal 
love  in  my  heart  to  all.  Christ  said,  "  For  whosoever 
shall  do  the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven, 
the  same  is  my  brother,  and  sister,  and  mother." 
Therefore  my  love  is  more  singly  unto  those.  The 
apostle  also  thus  writes  concerning  love  to  the  breth- 
ren :  "  We  know  that  we  have  passed  from  death  unto 
life,  because  we  love  the  brethren ;  he  that  loveth 
not  his  brother,  abideth  in  death."  Are  they  then 
in  death  that  are  at  enmity  with  the  brethren  ?  As- 
suredly they  are,  for  this  enmity  is  sin ;  "  And  the 
wages  of  sin  is  death ; "  and  those  that  are  therein, 
are  dead  while  they  live.  I  wish  and  heartily  pray 
to  the  God  and  Father  of  spirits,  that  from  the  snares 
of  death  his  people  may  forever  be  preserved. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  423 

Some  people  are  too  apt  to  judge  one  another,  and 
to  speak  evil  of  things  they  know  not,  except  by 
report  and  supposition,  which  too  often  lets  in  enmity, 
and  is  not  according  to  the  mind  of  Christ,  but  is  a 
snare  of  the  enemy  of  man's  salvation.  Surely  if 
people  were  sensible  thereof,  they  would  not  so  hardly 
censure  one  another ;  for  indeed  we  ought  to  be  well 
satisfied  before  we  give  judgment,  and  then  it  ought 
to  be  in  love,  and  not  in  enmity.  It  is  better  to 
suffer  than  to  censure;  to  be  judged  than  to  judge. 
"Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged,"  said  the  Judge 
*of  heaven  and  earth.  But  people  are  too  much  pos- 
sessed with  uncharitableness  and  revenge  one  towards 
another,  and  are  not  so  ready  to  forgive  one  another 
their  trespasses,  as  the  Almighty  is  to  forgive  them : 
though  to  forgive  one  another  their  trespasses  be 
every  Christian's  duty,  without  which  we  cannot 
justly  expect  God  to  forgive  us  our  trespasses,  as 
Christ  taught. 

Persecution  for  righteousness'  sake  also  is  another 
branch  of  that  corrupt  tree,  which  never,,  did,  and 
never  will  bring  forth  good  fruit,  but  must  be  cut 
down  by  the  axe  of  God's  power,  which  is  laid  to  the 
root  of  every  corrupt  tree  in  order  to  cut  it  down ; 
and  the  Lord  will  burn  it  with  unquenchable  fire. 
It  is  the  true  church's  lot  to  be  persecuted,  but  she 
never  persecutes  any;  for  He  that  is  her  High  Priest 
forever,  commanded  quite  the  contrary,  viz.  :  Love  to 
enemies,  and  to  do  good  to  them  that  hated  them,  to 
pray  for  them  that  despitefully  used  and  persecuted 


424  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

them.  They  were  also  to  rejoice,  and  to  be  exceed- 
ing glad  when  all*  manner  of  evil  was  spoken  falsely 
against  them  for  Christ's  sake ;  because  great  should 
be  their  reward  in  heaven ;  and  Christ  observes,  that 
so  they  persecuted  the  prophets. 

Many  are  rebelling  against  God,  and  doing  despite 
to  the  spirit  of  grace  in  their  own  hearts,  and  tres- 
passing one  against  another,  not  living  in  love,  but 
in  enmity  against  God  and  one  another.  The  judg- 
ment of  man  is  terrible  to  the  rebellious,  how  much 
more  if  men  rebel  against  God  our  Saviour,  will  his 
judgment  be  just  and  dreadful,  as  he  hath  not  only 
power  to  kill  the  body,  but  can  afterwards  cast  the 
soul  into  hell !  Oh  !  that  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
men  would  but  fear  to  offend  him,  the  King  of  eternal 
glory.  Israel  of  old,  his  own  peculiar  people,  did 
fear  and  tremble  before  him ;  even  all  their  host,  his 
presence  was  so  dreadful.  And  a  noble  king  made 
a  decree,  that  men  should  fear  and  tremble  before 
the  living  God. 

Oh !  tfcat  all  would  work  out  their  salvation  with 
fear  and  trembling,  according  to  Scripture  testimony, 
and  as  people  truly  love  the  Lord,  they  would  fear 
exceedingly  to  oifend  him ;  also  if  one  man  did  truly 
love  another,  he  would  very  unwillingly  offend  him. 
So  if  we  love  Christ  in  deed  and  in  truth,  we  should 
fear  to  offend  him,  and  must  of  necessity  love  one 
another  also :  so  shall  we  fulfil  the  great  commands, 
that  the  whole  law  and  the  prophets  hang  on. 

I  have  many   times   been  grieved,  when    I   have 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  425 

heard  cursing  and  swearing,  and  the  Lord's  name 
taken  in  vain,  which  too  much  abound;  and  such  too 
little  consider  that  God  will  not  hold  them  guiltless. 
This  is  far  from  obeying  him.  The  deep  sense  of 
this  great  sin  is  a  deep  concern  on  my  mind ;  ven- 
geance from  heaven  is,  and  will  be  the  portion  of  all 
such  who  thus  violate  the  mind  and  will  of  God. 
Judgment,  judgment  is  the  lot  and  inheritance  of  all 
the  wicked  who  remain  and  live  in  wickedness.  Al- 
though the  Lord  is  slow  to  anger,  and  of  great  lov- 
ing-kindness, and  his  mercy  endureth  forever  to  them 
that  truly  repent  of  evil,  and  do  that  which  is  good, 
yet  he  has  also  prepared  weeping,  wailing,  and  gnash- 
ing of  teeth  for  them  that  continually  live  in  sin. 
There  is  a  possibility  of  sinning  until  there  is  no 
more  mercy  or  grace  for  man  :  witness  the  words 
of  God :  "  My  spirit  shall  not  always  strive  with 
man,  for  that  he  also  is  flesh."  But  those  who  are 
willing  to  put  the  day  of  God  afar  off,  are  ready  to 
say,  Christ  is  our  advocate  with  the  Father;  he 
maketh  intercession  for  our  sins;  very  well,  but  it 
is  conditionally,  it  is  if  thou  wilt  repent  and  sin  no 
more.  Mark  that  well ;  repentance  without  sinning 
no  more  will  not  do.  Confession  is  very  good,  but 
forsaking  sin  is  abundantly  better :  confession  with- 
out forsaking  will  stand  -in  little  stead  in  the  day 
of  account. 

Drunkenness  is  a  great  sin,  first  against  God,  and 
secondly,  the  abuse  of  God's  mercies  and  good  creat- 
ures ;  and  by  it  men  are  often  fitted  for  any  business 

86* 


426  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

their  master  the  devil  may  call  them  to  :  so  that  this 
great  sin  ought  to  be  strictly  watched  against.  Surely 
if  men  had  any  good  desires  in  their  hearts,  or  any 
love  to  God,  they  would  refrain  from  such  great  wick- 
edness. I  admire  how  people  can  expect  mercy  from 
God,  or  the  intercession  of  Christ,  when  by  their  sins 
they  are  piercing  his  sides,  and  putting  him  to  open 
shame.  How  can  such  expect  he  will  intercede  for 
them,  when  they  have  dealt  so  shamefully  with  him, 
and  grieved  him,  and  from  time  to  time  disobeyed 
his  voice  ?  Suppose  a  man  stood  condemned  before 
a  judge,  and  that  at  the  judge's  right  hand  there  sat 
one  in  power,  whom  this  poor  condemned  person  hopes 
will  intercede  for  him  ;  and  yet  the  poor  wretch  does 
to  him  as  before  mentioned.  What  grounds  can  he 
have  to  hope  for  intercession,  clemency,  or  lenity, 
while  he  believes  he  can  do  no  otherwise  than  sin 
against  him  all  his  days  ?  For  my  part,  I  think  his 
faith,  hope,  and  belief  are  but  vain ;  without  any 
reason  or  ground.  But  he  that  loveth  Christ  Jesus, 
the  Lord  of  life  and  glory,  so  as  to  keep  his  com- 
mandments, the  Lord  will  love  him,  and  intercede 
for  him,  and  make  himself  known  unto  him ;  accord- 
ing to  his  words  which  he  spake,  "  He  that  hath  my 
commandments,  and  keeps  them,  he  it  is  that  loveth 
me,  and  he  that  loveth  me,  shall  be  loved  of  my 
Father  ;  and  I  will  love  him,  and  manifest  myself 
unto  him." 

Covetousness,  which   is   idolatry,  is   also   another 
great  snare   of   the   enemy,  and   many  are   caught 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  427 

therein.  It  is  in  vain  for  the  covetous  to  say,  he 
hath  a  share  in  the  love  of  God ;  for  he  hath  neither 
love  to  the  Lord,  nor  to  his  neighbor.  A  poor  naked 
man  might  ask  him  long  enough  for  relief,  or  for  his 
coat,  before  he  would  give  him  his  hand  to  help,  or 
coat  either;  or  any  manner  of  relief;  although  Christ 
expressly  commanded,  "  Give  to  him  that  asketh,  and 
from  him  that  would  borrow,  turn  not  thou  away." 
How  can  any  be  so  hard-hearted,  as  to  see  his 
brother's  or  his  neighbor's  poverty,  and  not  admin- 
ister of  his  ability  to  the  necessity  of  the  needy  ? 
The  covetous  or  miserable  man  may  say,  I  have 
children,  or  a  family  to  take  care  of;  yet  too  often 
covetousness  brings  a  curse,  and  not  a  blessing,  upon 
family  and  children  also.  Perhaps  some  may  say, 
that  charity  begins  at  home.  But  let  him  remember, 
that  if  it  doth  begin  there,  the  consequence  most 
commonly  is  very  bad  when  it  ends  there.  Every 
Christian  hath  need  to  have  charity  in  a  twofold 
sense,  or  else  there  is  no  proper  pretence  to  Chris- 
tianity :  in  short,  covetousness  is  out  of  the  love 
either  to  God  or  man. 

All  these,  with  abundance  more,  that  I  shall  for- 
bear to  mention,  are  eminent  snares  of  the  devil ; 
and  he  layeth  them  according  to  the  propensity  of 
man  or  woman,  and  suits  them  to  their  nature.  He 
colors  them  finely,  and  puts  a  pleasant  gloss  upon 
them  to  betray  the  soul,  and  keep  it  in  bondage  for- 
ever. 

It  is  he  that  tells  the  murderer,  the  thief,  and  the 


428  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

robber,  that  it  is  better  to  live  a  merry  life  and  short 
than  to  take  pains  and  care  all  one's  lifetime. 

It  is  he  also  who  tells  the  whoremongers  and  drunk- 
ards, that  so  many  people  are  in  these  practices,  be- 
cause it  is  natural  for  people  to  be  so  overcome :  but 
he  doth  not  tell  them  that  by  nature  all  are  children 
of  wrath,  and  that  without  this  lustful  nature  be 
overcome,  there  is  no  salvation. 

It  is  he  that  tells  the  swearers,  they  are  so  used 
to  it,  that  it  is  impossible  for  them  to  leave  it  off. 
He  never  bids  them  repent  and  forsake,  that  they 
might  find  mercy  with  God  and  Christ  that  died  for 
them;  but  died  not  that  they  should  live  in  sin. 

It  is  the  devil  tells  the  covetous  it  is  good  to  be 
saving,  and  not  to  spend  all  his  substance  in  gluttony 
and  pride ;  he  will  bid  him  hate  pride,  and  that  he 
should  not  give  much  alms,  though  rich  in  this  world, 
for  that  proud  people  do  it  only  in  ambition,  and  to 
be  seen  of  men :  but  he  will  not  tell  him,  it  is  a  sin 
to  be  covetous.  He  also  tells  the  proud  that  they  are 
counted  happy,  and  that  pride  is  counted  good  for 
promoting  the  commonwealth,  and  that  it  is  as  good 
to  be  out  of  the  world  as  out  of  the  fashion ;  he  telis 
them  that  pride  is  neatness ;  and  it  is  admirable  how 
many  pretty  excuses  he  has,  to  keep  people  in  pride. 
He  does  not  tell  them  that  Christ,  the  Lord,  was  meek 
and  lowly,  and  that  they  should  take  him  for  an  ex- 
ample. He,  the  Lord,  did  not  come  in  splendor  and 
glory,  outwardly,  but  plain  in  speech  and  also  in 
apparel,  being  clothed  and  adorned  with  the  robes 


THOMAS   CHALK-LEY.  429 

of  righteousness  and  love.  This  is  my  beloved  !  may 
he  be  thine  also,  gentle  reader.  Oh !  how  lovely  is 
he  !  he  is  the  chiefest  of  tens  of  thousands.  Oh  !  ye 
children  of  men,  both  sons  and  daughters  !  do  not 
offend  Christ,  by  disobeying  him,  the  bridegroom  of 
the  righteous ;  but  I  beseech  you,  in  his  sweet  and 
tender  love,  if  you  have  offended  him  by  sinning 
against  him,  oh !  for  the  Lord's  sake,  and  your  own 
soul's  sake,  do  so  no  more ;  but  unfeignedly  repent ; 
and  then  in  his  time,  when  he  hath  tried  you,  and 
found  you  faithful,  he  will  embrace  you  with  the 
sweet  embraces  of  his  love. 

If  the  poor  creature  did  but  love  the  Lord  its 
Maker  above  all,  and  its  fellow-creature  as  itself,  the 
enemy  of  mankind  would  be  overcome,  and  we  be 
made  more  than  conquerors,  through  him  that  loved 
us,  even  Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord  ;  and  man  and  woman 
would  see  all  those  evil  things  to  be  abominable,  and 
many  more  which  I  have  not  mentioned,  insomuch 
that  self  would  be  abhorred  as  in  dust  and  ashes,  and 
the  Lord  would  be  loved  and  glorified  above  all,  for 
which  end  he  created  mankind.  But  certain  it  is, 
that  this  end  cannot  be  answered,  nor  the  Lord  so 
loved,  without  sin  be  forsaken  and  hated ;  for  the 
devil  is  the  author  of  sin,  and  Christ  of  righteousness. 

Christ  says,  "  I  am  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
life."  And  again,  "  I  am  the  light  of  the  world." 
Oh !  saith  my  soul,  in  love  and  good-will  to  the  sons 
and  daughters  of  men,  that  they  would  but  walk  in 
the  way  of  truth,  and  in  the  true  light  of  the  world; 


430  •  THE   JOUKNAL    OF 

then  they  would  see  clearly  the  snares  of  Satan ;  which 
that  every  one,  especially  those  that  profess  Chris- 
tianity, may  do,  and  escape  the  same,  is  the  very 
desire  of  my  soul :  even  so  prayeth  he,  who  through 
the  spirit  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  ability  of  his  grace, 
labors  for  the  salvation  of  mankind. 

Thomas  Chalkley. 


An  Exhortation  to  Youth  and  Others,  being  Part 
of  a  Letter  from  Thomas  Chalkley  to  a  Friend 
in  Dublin. 

Let  the  young  men  and  maidens  diligently  read 
the  holy  Scriptures;  and  whenever  they  come  to  a 
passage  that  affects  them,  let  them  not  only  turn 
down  that  leaf,  but  let  them  be  sure  that  it  hath 
place  in  their  hearts :  and  when  they  read  of  a  good 
man  or  woman,  let  them  earnestly  pray  and  fervently 
cry  to  the  Lord,  the  great  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  God  of  the  righteous  in  all  ages, 
that  he  would  please  to  make  them  like  those  his  dear 
children  and  servants.  Oh !  that  young  people  might 
not  forget  this  great  command  of  God,  "  Honor  thy 
parents,  that  thy  days  may  be  long  upon  the  land 
which  the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee."  How  many 
stubborn  youths  hath  the  Lord  cut  off  in  their  prime, 
and  in  the  flower  of  their  days ;  and  on  the  other 
hand,  how  hath  the  Almighty  blessed,  prospered, 
preserved,  and  honored  those  who  have  been  obedient 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  431 

to  their  parents,  and  honored  them  and  their  elders? 
And  let  the  young  men  and  maidens  note  this,  that 
none  truly  honor  their  parents  and  elders,  but  those 
who  are  pious  and  virtuous ;  such  were  Joseph,  Samuel, 
David,  and  Solomon  ;  as  also  King  Josiah,  who  began 
to  reign  at  eight  years  old.  God  Almighty  gives  to 
many  a  sense  of  his  grace  at  that  age,  and  there- 
abouts; he  ordaineth  praise  many  times  out  of  the 
mouths  of  babes  and  sucklings.  Let  the  youth  en- 
deavor to  follow  those  good  and  great  men ;  and  for 
their  instruction,  I  shall  say  something  of  the  above 
five  worthies. 

First,  in  particular,  beginning  with  Joseph.  His 
father  sent  him  to  his  brethren ;  he  went  willingly, 
though  his  brethren  hated  him ;  and  when  it  was  in 
his  power  to  hurt  them,  he  rendered  them  good  for 
their  evil ;  a  good  example  for  both  young  and  old. 
And  when  tempted  to  sin  by  his  mistress  in  Egypt, 
he  said,  "  How  can  I  do  this  great  wickedness,  and 
sin  against  God  ? "  who  highly  favored  him  for  his 
piety,  virtue,  and  chastity. 

Secondly,  Samuel,  for  whom  his  mother  prayed 
earnestly  to  the  Lord ;  and  when  he  had  given  him 
to  her,  she  gave  him  to  God  again  :  a  good  pattern 
for  all  mothers.  When  he  was  but  a  little  lad,  the 
Almighty  called  him,  and  he  thought  it  had  been  Eli; 
and  said,  "Thou  calledst  me?"  "No,"  said  the  old 
man,  "  I  did  not  call  thee;  lie  down  again."  He  did 
not  grumble,  as  many  of  our  youth  do :  when  the 
Lord  called  again,  he  willingly  ran  to  Eli;  he  did  not 


432  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

]ove  his  bed  so  much  as  obedience,  and  said,  "  Thou 
didst  call  me ; "  Eli  observing  that  God  had  spoken 
to  the  child,  said  to  him,  "  When  he  calleth  again, 
say,  '  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  heareth.' '  Let 
old  ones  mind  this,  and  encourage  their  youth  to 
answer  the  call  of  God  betimes  :  God  called  again, 
and  he  answered,  "  Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant 
heareth."  The  Lord,  by  his  grace,  calls  to  little 
ones,  many  times  in  the  midst  of  their  play,  and 
sometimes  in  their  beds.  Oh !  that  our  youth  may 
do  and  say  as  little  Samuel ;  that  they  may  grow  as 
he  did,  and  be  in  favor  both  with  God  and  man. 

Thirdly,  David,  his  father's  youngest  son,  kept  his 
sheep,  and  in  that  innocent  employ  the  Lord  was  with 
him.  His  father  sent  him  to  his  brethren;  but  Eliab, 
his  eldest  brother,  frowned  upon  him,  and  reviled  him. 
He  only  made  this  soft  reply;  "  Is  there  not  a  cause?  " 
He  overcame  the  great  Philistine,  in  the  name  of  the 
God  of  Israel ;  and  God  highly  exalted  him  for  his 
uprightness,  sincerity,  and  piety,  which  were  very 
great;  for  notwithstanding  Saul  would  have  killed 
him,  yet  when  David  had  him  in  his  power,  he  spared 
him,  insomuch  that  Saul  wept,  and  said,  "  If  a  man 
find  his  enemy,  will  he  let  him  go  ?  "  And  there  was 
loving  greeting  between  them :  so  he  overcame  the 
evil  of  Saul's  heart,  by  the  good  that  was  in  his, 
according  to  those  holy  expressions  of  the  apostle 
Paul,  "  Be  not  overcome  with  evil,  but  overcome  evil 
with  good."  Words  worthy  to  be  written  in  letters 
of  gold,  and  more  worthy  to  be  observed  and  practised. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  433 

Fourthly,  Solomon,  who  asked  of  God  wisdom,  be- 
ing in  his  own  eyes  but  as  a  little  child,  said  unto 
the  Lord,  "Give  unto  thy  servant  an  understanding 
heart : "  which  request  God  granted  him,  and  gave 
him  also  riches  and  honor.  Oh  !  see  the  benefit  of 
pleasing  God,  young  men  and  young  women. 

Fifthly,  Josiah,  a  young  prince  and  king.  How 
zealous  was  he  for  God's  service  and  worship !  What 
a  wonderful  reformation  he  made  in  the  land,  and 
how  was  he  lamented  at  his  death,  as  generally  all 
good  and  zealous  men  and  women  are,  whether  old 
or  young. 

Having  touched  a  little  upon  the  young  men,  let 
me  remember  the  young  women  also  :  as  for  example, 
Ruth  and  Abigail,  two  discreet  young  women ;  the 
first  very  loving,  kind,  and  true  to  Naomi,  her  mother- 
in-law  :  a  good  pattern  for  all  daughters-in-law :  "  En- 
treat me  not,"  said  she,  "  to  leave  thee ;  for  where 
thou  goest,  I  will  go ;  and  where  thou  lodgest,  I  will 
lodge :  and  where  thou  diest,  there  will  I  be  buried ; 
thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God;" 
and  the  Lord  abundantly  rewarded  her  for  this  godly 
resolution.  Boaz  had  a  sense  of  her  virtue  and  piety, 
and  said,  "  All  the  city  of  my  people  do  know,  that 
thou  art  a  virtuous  woman."  Which  doubtless  was 
a  strong  motive  for  him  to  love  her ;  and  that  love 
commonly  lasts  till  death  :  whereas  when  money  is  a 
motive,  it  often  happens  that  many  evils  attend. 

Consider  also  wise  Abigail,  her  ingenious  speech  to 

David,  and  contrivance  to  hinder  him  from  shedding 
37 


434  THE   JOUKNAL   OF 

blood ;  which  he  was  coming  to  do,  thinking  he  had 
cause,  but  was  prevented  by  her  wisdom.  This  was 
a  great  motive  to  him  to  love  her,  after  Nabal's  death, 
and  to  take  her  to  wife.  She  was  no  proud  woman ; 
"For,"  said  she,  "let  thy  handmaid  serve  to  wash 
the  feet  of  the  servants  of  my  lord." 

As  there  are  many  good  examples  in  holy  Scripture, 
whereby  young  people  might  be  stirred  up  to  virtue ; 
so  also  there  are  examples  of  the  judgments  of  God 
on  disobedient,  impious,  vain,  and  ungodly  men  and 
women,  even  young  and  old.  Let  our  youth  consider, 
I  beseech  them,  wicked,  disobedient  Absalom,  and  poor 
Dinah  :  also  the  prince  and  the  Moabitish  damsel, 
whom  zealous  Phineas  slew ;  for  God  was  angry,  and 
is  angry  with  the  wicked  every  day. 

The  before-mentioned  good  men  and  women  were 
in  the  time  of  the  law;  and  let  me  add  to  them,  the 
holy  pattern  and  good  example  of  our  great  Lord  and 
blessed  master,  who  loved  righteousness,  and  hated 
wickedness,  therefore  he  was  highly  exalted,  and 
anointed  with  the  oil  of  gladness  above  his  fellows : 
he  had  the  heathen  given  him  for  his  inheritance,  and 
the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  possession : 
and  what  is  more,  all  power  in  heaven  and  earth. 

Oh  !  dear  young  men  and  maidens  !  He  is  our  great 
pattern,  whom  we  ought  to  take  for  our  example; 
walking  in  all  humility  and  reverence :  Christ  saith, 
"  He  that  will  be  my  disciple,  that  is  his  scholar,  must 
take  up  his  cross,  deny  himself,  and  follow  me."  Oh! 
blessed  pattern  !    Oh !  glorious  example !  let  us  follow 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  435 

him  whilst  we  have  breath ;  for  it  is  always  well  for 
them  that  follow  him.  What  think  ye,  young  men 
and  maidens  !  had  it  not  been  well  for  that  rich  young 
man,  had  he  left  all,  and  followed  dear  Jesus  :  be  ye 
your  own  judges;  look  on  your  pattern  Christ  Jesus, 
when  he  was  but  twelve  years  old ;  see  what  he  was 
doing,  forget  not  that  saying  which  his  mother  laid 
up  in  her  heart,  "  Wist  ye  not  that  I  must  be  about 
my  Father's  business  ?  "  I  can  say,  through  some 
experience,  it  is  good  business.  Let  me  tell  you  for 
your  edification,  I  have  served  my  master,  holy  Jesus, 
and  followed  him  several  years  according  to  the  best 
of  my  understanding,  and  I  have  always  found  him  a 
good  master;  his  service  is  sweet,  and  his  work  is 
delightful.  I  have  a  great  deal  more  to  say  for  my 
Lord  and  Master,  but  my  design  is  brevity :  "  His 
yoke  is  easy,  and  his  burthen  is  light."  He  hath  said 
it,  and  I  have  experienced  it.  Wherefore  I  am  the 
more  free  to  invite  you  to  follow  him,  and  be  his 
scholars.  An  eminent  servant  and  scholar  of  his 
said,  "  Be  ye  followers  of  me,  even  as  I  also  am  of 
Christ."  The  apostle  Paul  exhorts  Timothy,  a  young 
scholar,  and  his  son  in  the  faith,  to  be  a  good  example 
to  others ;  as  also  his  son  Titus.  We  are  also  told 
of  four  young  women,  who  were  prophetesses,  and 
divers  others;  a  more  particular  account  of  whose 
exemplary  lives  and  actions  is  recorded  in  the  holy 
Scripture  for  our  learning;  unto  which,  with  the  grace 
of  God  in  the  heart,  I  recommend  all  young  men  and 
women,  and  conclude  this  small  token  of  my  very  dear 


436  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

love  in  Christ,  our  holy  Lord  and  master,  desiring  the 
above  may  be  as  so  many  patterns  for  them  to  follow. 

Thomas  Chalkley. 


A  Loving  Invitation  to  Young  and  Old,  in  Holland 
and  elsewhere,  to  seek  and  love  Almighty  God,  and 
to  prepare  in  time  for  their  Eternal  Welfare. 


PEEFACE. 

Having  from  my  childhood  been  a  lover  of  the 
Dutch,  and  that  love  being  increased  by  travelling 
in  Holland  and  Germany,  it  came  weightily  on  my 
mind  to  invite  and  persuade  this  people,  with  others 
into  whose  hands  this  may  come,  and  especially  the 
youth,  to  love,  serve,  and  fear  the  Lord,  the  Almighty, 
the  great  Jehovah,  and  that  they  first  seek  the  king- 
dom of  God  and  his  righteousness,  as  Christ  exhorts 
or  commands.     Those  weighty  expressions,  with  the 
large  promise  thereto  annexed,  are  well  worth  the  due 
notice  and  consideration  of  all,  both  youth  and  aged; 
but  seem  to  be  very  apt  to  the  condition  of  those  that 
are  just  entering  into  the  affairs  of  the  world.     Oh  ! 
that  the  youth  had  but  faith  in  the  blessed  Lord  Jesus, 
and  owned  his  pure  doctrine,  now  in  their  tender 
years  ;  and  in  the  prime  of  their  days.     "  That  they 
would  remember  their  Creator  in  the  days  of  their 
youth,  before  the  evil  days   come ; "   that  in  their 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  437 

blooming  spring  time,  they  might  be  like  lovely 
branches,  and  growing  trees  of  righteousness,  bear- 
ing much  good  fruit  of  piety  and  virtue ;  in  which, 
saith  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  "  Is  your  heavenly  Father 
glorified."  This  is  the  real  and  hearty  desire  of  my 
soul,  for  the  youth  of  this  and  all  generations,  in  all 
nations  throughout  the  world :  the  universal  love  of 
God  flows  in  my  soul,  like  a  living  stream,  to  all  my 
fellow-mortals.  The  great  love  of  God  in  Christ  Jesus, 
our  Lord  and  Master,  is  abundantly  and  universally 
shed  abroad  to  all  nations,  through  his  eternal  Spirit 
and  grace  in  the  hearts  of  the  sons  and  daughters  of 
men,  in  order  to  draw,  lead,  and  guide  men  and 
women  from  earth  to  heaven. 

Being  desirous,  according  to  my  measure,  to  pro- 
mote truth  and  righteousness  in  the  earth,  and  having 
been  sensible  of  the  love,  mercy,  and  goodness  of  God, 
in  my  very  young  and  tender  years,  I  am  willing,  for 
the  sake  of  well  inclined  young  men  and  women,  to 
send  this  loving  invitation :  and  am  desirous  that  it 
might  be  translated  into  the  Dutch  language ;  hoping 
it  may  be  beneficial  to  some  well  inclined  souls,  to 
stir  them  up  to  seek,  serve,  and  love  Almighty  God. 
Amen. 

So  wisheth  and  heartily  prayeth,  a  friend  to,  and 
lover  of  all  mankind.  Thomas  Chalkley. 


It  is  a  thing  truly  excellent  for  mortals  to  love, 
serve,  and  fear  Him  that  made  them,  and  gave  unto 
all  life  and  being :  and  to  begin  this  work  betimes,  is 

37* 


438  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

very  advantageous  to  the  never-dying  soul.  It  is  an 
indispensable  duty,  which  is  incumbent  upon  every  one; 
male  and  female ;  and  whoever  is  found  in  the  neglect 
thereof,  will  certainly  have  cause  to  repent  it ;  and  un- 
less they  repent  before  they  go  hence,  and  see  man  no 
more,  will  be  miserable  to  all  eternity.  This  solid  con- 
sideration hath  often  been  weighty  on  my  mind,  and  I 
could  not  be  clear,  as  I  thought,  in  the  sight  of  God, 
without  laying  it  before  men  and  women. 

Truth  commands  us,  reason  persuades  us,  and  ex- 
ample is  very  powerful  and  inviting,  that  the  children 
of  men  would  be  wise  to  salvation,  and  embrace  the 
love  of  God  in  his  dear  and  well  beloved  Son,  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  himself  said,  "  I  am  the  way, 
the  truth,  and  the  life."  Oh  !  surely  here  is  a  three- 
fold cord,  i.  e.,  truth,  reason,  and  example,  which  is 
not  easily  broken  :  God  Almighty  grant,  for  Christ's 
sake,  that  by  it  poor  souls  may  be  drawn  to  him,  even 
now  in  their  tender  years.  To-day,  to-day,  if  any  will 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Lord,  let  them  not  harden  their 
hearts ;  for  that  is  provoking  to  him  that  made  us. 
How  know  we  whether  He  who  made  the  heavens,  will 
be  pleased  to  give  us  another  hour  ?  How  know  we, 
but  that  after  this  day  we  may  never  open  our  eyes, 
till  we  open  them  in  eternity?  Oh !  eternity,  eternity, 
that  boundless  ocean !  who  can  fathom  those  words, 
forever  and  ever  ?  What  will  this  world  and  all  ita 
glories  and  vanities  signify,  or  avail  to  poor  souls, 
when  lying  on  a  dying-bed  ? 

It  will  therefore  be  well  for  both  old  and  young  to 
note  this : 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  439 

First ;  The  old,  because  it  is  not  likely  they  should 
have  many  days,  according  to  the  course  of  nature 
and  a  common  proverb,  i.  e.}  the  young  may  die,  but 
the  old  must  die. 

Second ;  The  young,  because  they  know  not  but 
that  they  may  die  to-morrow. 

In  the  great  and  notable  day  of  the  Most  High, 
heavenlv  things  will  be  found  serious  and  solid  truths, 
and  not  toys  and  trifles,  nor  indifferent;  when  he  shall 
come  as  in  flames  of  fire,  to  render  vengeance,  which 
is  his  only,  upon  all  the  workers  of  iniquity,  and  shall 
come  to  judge  the  secrets  of  all  hearts  by  that  great 
and  just  Judge,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Wherefore,  let  me  prevail  with  some  poor  souls,  now 
in  time,  to  lay  the  truth  to  heart,  and  to  be  found  in 
the  work  of  God  in  their  day ;  that  so  for  their  pains 
here,  they  may  receive  their  penny  hereafter ;  and 
that  enlivening,  that  quickening  answer  of  "well 
done,"  may  be  their  portion,  and  the  glorious  lot 
of  their  inheritance  :  "  Come,  ye  blessed ;  well  done, 
good  and  faithful  servant :  enter  thou  into  the  joy  of 
thy  Lord."  Oh  !  powerful  voice,  and  heart-ravishing 
sentence !  enough  to  make  one  alive,  though  dead ; 
and  exceedingly  joyful,  though  sorrowful  even  to 
death.  This  divine  favor  and  grace,  wherewith  the 
Most  High  will  favor  those  that;  love  him  and  faith- 
fully serve  him,  in  that  great  and  notable  day,  will 
far  exceed  the  favor  of  kings  and  princes :  for  those 
that  get  the  latter,  can  only  be  happy,  or  so  accounted, 
in  this  world,  which  is  but  momentary ;   and  those 


440  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

who  are  living  and  sensible  witnesses  of  the  former, 
are  certainly  happy,  even  in  this  world,  although  men 
may  not  see  it,  and  likewise  everlastingly  happy  in 
that  world  which  is  to  come.  To  be  sensible  of  God's 
grace  in  the  heart,  and  to  follow  the  holy  teaching  of 
it,  is  preferable  to  all  things  here  below,  it  will  make 
one  more  wise  and  more  comely,  than  all  outward 
learning,  beauty,  or  parts  whatever.  God  Almighty 
grant,  I  beseech  him,  that  all  our  young  men,  our  rich 
men,  our  wise  men,  may  glory  only  in  him,  according 
to  the  language  of  the  Spirit  in  the  holy  Scriptures, 
"  Let  not  the  young  or  strong  man  glory  in  his  youth 
or  strength,  nor  the  rich  man  in  his  riches,  nor  the 
wise  man  in  his  wisdom ;  but  he  who  glories,  let  him 
glory  in  the  Lord ;  "  or  in  this,  "  That  he  knows  the 
Lord."  Let  the  wits  of  the  age  consider  this  well ; 
let  the  boaster  and  disputer  rightly  note  this,  and 
he  will  have  cause  to  bow  before  heaven's  Majesty. 
What  becomes  of  the  young  man's  and  young  woman's 
strength  and  lovely  beauty,  when  their  heads  are  laid 
in  the  cold  grave  ?  What  will  become  of,  or  of  what 
service  to  him  will  be,  the  riches  of  the  rich  man, 
when  he  shall  receive  his  summons  to  his  long  home  ? 
May  he  not  then  say,  Oh  !  that  I  had  been  as  indus- 
trious to  get  heaven  and  peace  with  my  Maker,  as  I 
have  been  to  get  this  world.  Let  all  worldly-minded 
men  and  women  remember  the  expostulation  of  Christ 
Jesus  with  the  rich  young  man.  This  is  not  to  hinder 
any  in  their  outward  concerns :  for  the  heart  of  a 
man  may  be  in  heaven,  though  his  hands  may  be  in 
his  employment. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  441 

And  as  to  the  wise  man :  pray,  what  will  become 
of  his  great  wit,  his  acquired  parts,  his  arguments 
and  criticisms,  when  pale-faced  death  shall  look  him 
in  the  face,  and  strike  him  with  his  sharp  arrow  ? 
Then  he  will  find,  that  it  had  been  much  better  for 
him,  had  he  lived  well,  although  he  had  not  talked  so 
much,  or  so  well.  To  talk  well,  is  good ;  but  to  live 
well  is  much  better.  To  talk  finely,  and  live  badly, 
is  of  little  worth.  Oh  !  that  the  great  Master  work- 
man of  all,  may  drive  home  this  nail,  in  the  heart  of* 
him  whose  eye  shall  look  thereon,  by  his  mighty 
hammer,  the  hammer  of  his  word,  his  heart-breaking, 
heart-melting,  and  heart-piercing  word ;  according  to 
the  doctrine  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  holy  Scriptures, 
"  Is  not  my  word  as  a  fire  ?  Is  not  my  word  as  a 
hammer  ?  Is  not  my  word  as  a  sword  ?  "  i.  e.,  to  burn, 
to  break,  to  cut  down  all  manner  of  sin  :  not  to  destroy 
man,  but  sin  in  man.  Hear  further  the  language  of 
the  Holy  Spirit :  "  Say  not  in  thine  heart,  who  shall 
ascend  up  into  heaven,  to  fetch  it  down  from  above  ? 
Or  who  shall  go  down  into  the  deep,  or  beyond  the 
seas,  to  fetch  it  from  thence?  But  what  saith  it? 
The  word  is  nigh  thee,  in  thy  heart,  and  in  thy  mouth 
that  thou  mayest  do  it."  This  was,  and  is,  and  ever 
will  be,  the  doctrine  of  the  gospel ;  from  which  people 
may  perceive  that  Christ  Jesus  is  near  to  them ;  near 
to  save,  near  to  deliver,  near  to  redeem.  The  great 
Jehovah,  the  blessed  Jesus,  the  holy  divine  Spirit,  is 
not  a  God  afar  off,  but  a  God  near  at  hand,  and  a 
present  and  sure  help  in  the  needful  time.  Oh! 
blessed  be  his  name  forever  and  ever. 


442  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

I  appeal  to  the  consciences  of  all  men,  whether  they 
have  not,  or  do  not  sensibly  witness  something  of  a 
nature  contrary  to  sin  and  unrighteousness,  to  re- 
prove them  and  convince  them  of  the  evil  of  their 
ways  and  doings,  perhaps  sometimes  in  the  midst  of 
their  vanity,  in  the  song,  in  the  dance,  or  in  the  game ; 
or  sometimes  after  a  debauch,  or  for  their  pride,  either 
in  mind  or  in  apparel,  for  overreaching,  or  covetous- 
ness ;  all  which,  with  all  manner  of  evils,  are  of  the 
'devil.  And  the  King  of  heaven  is  lifting  up  his  holy 
and  righteous  spirit  as  a  standard  against  it,  and 
against  him  who  is  the  author  of  it.  Let  this  his 
convincing  grace  take  place  in  thy  heart,  oh  mortal 
man  !  for  know  of  a  truth,  it  is  the  grace  of  God  to 
thy  soul;  for  infallible  proof  of  which,  besides  the 
experience  of  the  faithful,  take  these  two  texts  of 
holy  Scripture,  the  doctrine  of  which  will  stand  for- 
ever, notwithstanding  all  the  opposition  of  man :  "  I 
will  pray  the  Father,  says  Christ,  and  he  will  send 
you  another  comforter,  even  the  Spirit  of  truth,  that 
he  may  abide  with  you  forever ;  and  when  he  is  come, 
he  shall  convince  the  world  of  sin."  Again,  "  The 
grace  of  God  which  brings  salvation,  hath  appeared 
unto  all  men,  teaching  us,  that,  denying  ungodliness 
and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously, 
and  godly,  in  this  present  world."  Why  should  the 
Almighty  show  to  men  the  evil  of  their  ways  ?  Why 
does  he  not  let  them  run  on  in  their  vanities,  with- 
out control  ?  Oh,  ye  children  of  men  !  it  is  his  mere 
grace  and   mercy  to  the  precious,  dear-bought,  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLE'S  443 

never  dying  souls  of  poor  mortal  mankind;  for  he 
would  have  none  to  perish.  If  any  perish,  their  de- 
struction is  of  themselves,  but  their  help  is  of  the 
Lord.  Oh  !  that  people  would  be  entreated  and  per- 
suaded, through  loving  invitation,  to  follow  the  Lord 
fully,  and  do  his  work  faithfully. 

I  humbly  beg  of  the  Lord,  the  great  God,  and 
Father  of  spirits,  and  of  our  dear  Lord  Jesus,  that 
this  may  be  instrumental,  in  his  hand,  to  draw  some 
poor  seeking,  travailing  soul  from  earth  towards 
heaven ;  the  which,  if  it  doth,  let  the  praises  be  given 
to  God  alone,  through  his  well  beloved  Son. 

First,  then :  As  to  truth,  I  would  hope  few  in  this 
generation,  who  profess  Christianity,  need  to  say, 
What  is  truth?  God  Almighty,  Christ  Jesus,  the 
Holy  Spirit,  is  that  infinite,  divine  truth,  which  will 
endure  forever ;  and  he  hath  said,  "  Thou  shalt  love 
the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy  heart,  with  all  thy 
mind,  and  with  all  thy  strength."  He  is  richly 
worthy  thereof:  this  is  his  law  which  is  to  endure 
forever;  and  he  who  doth  and  teacheth  it,  is  to  be 
called  great  in  the  kingdom  of  God ;  and  that  it  might 
not  be  forgotten,  he  wrote  it  on  stony  tables ;  which 
law,  Jacob's  seed  broke  and  transgressed.  Wherefore, 
thus  saith  the  Lord,  who  spoke  by  the  prophet,  "  I 
will  put  my  law  in  their  inward  parts,  and  write  it. 
in  their  hearts."  There  it  is  written  in  large  char- 
acters, very  plain  and  legible,  and  easy  to  be  read  of 
mankind.  Moses,  the  man  of  God,  was  an  instrument 
to  promote  the  law  outwardly,  written  on  tables  of 


444  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

stone,  among  the  children  of  Israel :  so  Christ  Jesus, 
in  this  gospel-df.y,  is  promoting  and  proclaiming  the 
power  of  this  law  inwardly  engraven  in  men's  hearts 
by  God's  finger,  throughout  the  whole  world.  This 
great  law  of  love,  in  which  all  the  law  and  the 
prophets  are  contained,  Christ  not  only  lived  in,  and 
declared  to  mortals,  but  he  also  died  in  it,  and  for 
us  sealed  his  holy,  glorious  testimony  and  doctrine 
with  his  most  precious  blood.  This  is  he,  of  whom 
the  voice  from  the  most  excellent  glory  said,  "  This 
is  my  beloved  Son,  in  whom  I  am  well  pleased,  hear 
ye  him."  This  is  he,  of  whom  the  former  lawgiver 
said,  "  The  Lord  your  God  shall  raise  up  a  prophet 
from  amongst  your  brethren,  him  shall  ye  hear  in  all 
things."  This  is  he  who  said,  "  I  am  the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life."  This  is  he  who  said,  "  He 
dwelleth  with  you,  and  shall  be  in  you : "  and  again, 
"  I  stand  at  the  door  and  knock ;  if  any  man  hear  my 
voice,  and  open  the  door,  I  will  come  in  to  him  and 
sup  with  him,  and  he  with  me."  His  love  is  wonder- 
ful ;  he  not  only  commands  obedience,  but  invites  to  it. 
Who  can  be  so  hard-hearted,  and  so  cruel  to  him  and 
themselves  also,  as  to  slight  and  refuse  such  heavenly 
offers  of  infinite  love,  grace,  and  mercy  ?  The  Spirit 
and  the  bride  say,  Come ;  and  all  that  are  athirst 
may  come  and  drink  freely,  and  buy  heavenly  milk 
and  rich  wine,  without  money  or  any  outward  price. 
Secondly,  Touching  reason :  it  is  very  reasonable 
that  we  should  serve  and  love  God  Almighty,  in  the 
space  of    time    that  we   have   in    this   world,   and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  445 

work  the  works  of  piety  and  virtue,  because  there 
is  solid  peace  therein  :  here  none  can  make  afraid, 
but  the  soul  is  calm  and  quiet,  being  anchored  in 
a  safe  harbor.  Here  no  law  can  take  hold  of  us. 
If  any  should  imagine  that  there  are  no  future 
rewards  or  punishments,  which  no  mortal  can  do 
without  blushing  or  self-condemnation,  as  I  conceive; 
yet  a  life  of  holiness  is  a  much  better  life,  even  for 
the  body,  for  its  health  and  most  sweet  repose,  and 
for  pleasure  that  is  solid,  and  not  flashy ;  and  for  its 
outward  tranquillity  in  every  respect.  I  appeal  to 
the  reasoning  wits  of  the  age,  whether  the  above  be 
not  a  great  and  undeniable  truth :  besides,  all  true 
men  and  women,  in  practising  as  above,  have  a  living 
hope  and  faith,  through  and  in  Christ,  of  a  glorious 
rest  in  eternity,  which  is  very  reasonable  to  believe. 
Christ  wrought  such  wonderful  works  and  mighty 
miracles,  which  before  were  never  wrought  by  man 
on  earth ;  so  that  those  must  needs  be  self-condemned 
that  believe  not  in  him,  his  works  and  grace.  There 
is  no  writ  nor  wit  in  the  whole  world,  that  can,  or 
ever  will  be  able  to  make  void,  or  lay  waste  the 
mighty  and  miraculous  works  of  truth,  which  were 
done  by  the  blessed  Jesus.  Moses  was  a  mighty 
man  of  God,  and  highly  favored  and  greatly  beloved 
of  him,  and  did  many  mighty  works ;  yet  Christ  ex- 
ceeded him,  as  also  did  his  dispensation.  Moses  went 
through  the  sea :  Christ  went  upon  the  sea.  Moses 
prayed  for  bread  from  heaven,  and  it  was  given  in 

abundance ;  Christ  with  a  few  small  fishes  and  seven 
38 


446  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

loaves,  fed  many  thousands,  which  was  unreasonable 
to  expect,  but  from  a  divine  hand.  Moses  prayed  for 
water  for  the  people :  Christ  made  wine,  and  admi- 
rable wine  too,  even  of  water.  Moses  preached  the  law 
and  judgment  to  Israel  only ;  but  Christ  Jesus 
preached  grace,  mercy,  peace,  and  truth,  not  only  to 
Israel,  but  also  to  all  the  world,  through  divine  faith 
in  God,  in  and  through  repentance,  and  the  work  of 
the  Spirit.  Oh  !  is  not  here  reason  and  truth  pleading 
with,  and  persuading  poor  creatures  to  love,  serve, 
and  follow,  reverence  and  fear  their  Creator? 

It  is  likely  some  such  doctrine  as  this  might  better 
please  the  sparks  of  the  age,  and  the  jolly  young  men 
and  maidens  up  and  down  in  the  world,  viz.,  "Rejoice, 
oh  !  young  man  and  young  woman,  and  let  thy  heart 
cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth  ;  follow  the  desire 
of  thy  heart,  and  the  sight  of  thine  eyes."     But.  let 
them   remember,  that  for  all  these  things  God  will 
bring  them  to  judgment :  they  must  surely  come  to 
judgment.     They  will  have  it  inwardly  and  secretly 
in  their  hearts,  here  in  this  world,  notwithstanding 
they  may  endeavor  to  hide  it  from  men ;  but  they 
cannot   hide    it   from    Heaven,  from   the   all-seeing, 
heart-piercing  eye  of  the  Holy  One  :  "  He  who  inhabits 
eternity,  whose  dwelling  is  in  the  light;  and  whose 
eye  goes  through  the  earth,  beholding  the  good  and 
the  evil;"  sees  them  at  all  times,  and  without  repent- 
ance they  will   have    condemnation  without  end,  in 
the  world  that  is  to  come.     Let  the  youth  and  aged 
seriously  consider  it. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  447 

And  further,  let  them  call  to  mind  the  great  and 
heavy  judgments  that  have  fallen  upon  wicked  and 
ungodly  men,  many  of  which  were  foretold    by  the 
messengers  of  heaven,  and  came  to  pass  according  to 
their  sayings,  viz.,  the  flood  of  waters,  which  destroyed 
the  old  world,  which  the  very  Indians  in  America 
have  a  notable  idea  of,  handed  down  to  them  by  the 
tradition  of  their  fathers  to  this  day.     The  destruc- 
tion  of    the   land    and    inhabitants   of    Sodom   and 
Gomorrah,  and  the  thousands  of  thousands  that  have 
been    destroyed  in  battles,  which  will   still   be,  and 
continue  to  the  world's  end,  unless  people  come  into 
the  love  of  God,  which  will  teach  them  to  love  one 
another,  and  into  the  faith  and  doctrine  of  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  which  is,  "  To  do  unto  all  men,  as  we  would 
have  them  do  unto  us,"  and  to  "do  good  for  evil;" 
which  to  be  sure   is  not  to  destroy.     Likewise   the 
destruction  of  Jerusalem  and  scattering  of  the  Jews, 
the'  seed  of  faithful  Abraham ;    and   divers    terrible 
earthquakes,  which  have   happened    in  these   latter 
ages  of  the  world ;  some  of  the  dreadful  ruins  of  which 
I  have  seen  in  my  travels.     Surely  there   is  much 
reason  to  walk  in  reverence  and  holy  fear  before  the 
great  Lord  of  all :  he  who  made  the  heavens  and  the 
earth,  the  seas  and  the  fountains  of  water,  and  hath 
given  life  and  breath  to  all  that  move  therein,  can 
take  it  from  them  at  his  pleasure,  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye. 

Oh !  happy  are  all  those  who  live  and  dwell  in  the 
holy  fear  of  God,  and  in  the  self-denying  life  of  Jesus : 


448  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

no  greater  happiness  or  felicity  than  to  be  one  of 
these.  Let  my  soul  dwell  here,  and  be  in  unity  and 
fellowship  with  all  such  forever. 

As  to  the  third  and  last  part  of  the  argument, 
viz.,  example ;  which,  as  the  proverb  says,  is  above 
precept.     Good  example  is  very  taking  with  many, 
and  often  happens  to  be  very  affecting  to  the  younger 
sort  more  particularly  :   for   they  look  out  much  at 
others,  and  take  great  notice  of  the  words  and  con- 
duct of  their  elders  and  superiors.     Jacob  was  a  good 
example  to  his  great  family :  he  was  a  pious  affection- 
ate father,  a  loving  husband,  a  faithful  servant,  and 
an  obedient  son  :  the  history  of  his  life  and  travels  in 
holy  Scripture  is  affecting.     He  sought  God  betimes ; 
and  how  humble,  how  lowly  did  he  behave  himself  in 
his  pilgrimage !  his  father  and    mother  called   him, 
and  bid  him  go ;  he  does  it  without  any  replies  to  the 
contrary ;    not  like  some  of  the  youth  of  this  age. 
Being  benighted  on  his  way,  he  lays  himself  dovfn ; 
his  pillow  was  hard,  but  his  bed  large,  and  the  heavens 
were  his  curtains ;  his  sleep  was  sweet,  and  his  dream 
precious.     In  which  sleep  he  sees  angels ;  and  when 
he  awakes,  he  says,  "  Surely,  this  is  none  other  than 
the  house  of  God   and   the   gate  of  heaven."     The 
condition  of  his  covenant  with  his  Maker,  as  to  out- 
ward  things,  was   as   small   as  well   could  be,  viz., 
Bread  to  eat,  and  raiment  to  put  on,  and  the  presence 
of  his  Maker,  with  his  blessing.     This  was  when  he 
was   about  to  set  up  for  himself  in  the  world :    his 
mind  was   not  high,  neither  sought  he  after   great 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  449 

things ;  notwithstanding  which,  the  Almighty  gave 
him  abundance.  So  onward  he  went,  and  came  to 
Laban,  and  became  his  servant.  I  could  wish  that 
all  young  people,  who  are  servants,  would  follow  his 
steps  in  faithfulness,  then  might  they  be  a  blessing  to 
their  masters,  as  he  was  to  his.  I  ever  observed  in 
my  travels,  having  travelled  much  in  divers  nations, 
and  made  many  observations,  that  Almighty  God 
hath  greatly  blessed  obedient,  industrious  children  and 
servants ;  which  observation  I  hope  will  be  of  good 
use  to  the  world,  if  well  considered.  And  on  the 
other  hand,  I  have  taken  notice  of  the  contrary,  and 
have  perfectly  understood,  that  God's  hand  hath  been 
manifestly  against  those  who  have  been  disobedient 
and  ill-natured  and  idle;  which  may  be  an  .useful 
caution  to  all.  The  Lord  blessed  the  good  service 
and  faithful  industry  of  this  his  servant  with  great 
increase;  as  also  with  many  children,  for  whom  he 
was  concerned  even  to  the  very  last ;  and  like  a  pious 
and  godly  father,  prayed  to  the  Lord  for  their  pre- 
servation, and  was  zealously  concerned  to  cleanse  his 
family  from  superstition  and  idolatry  ;  and  call  them 
to  go  up  to  Bethel,  the  house  of  God.  Oh !  that  all 
heads  of  families  would  be  concerned  for  their  pos- 
terity, and  seek  God  and  the  things  of  his  kingdom, 
for  their  children  and  servants,  more  than  the  things 
of  this  world ;  there  being  too  much  care  for  the  one 
and  too  little  for  the  other,  generally  speaking;  so 
that  there  is  need  of  this  caution.  This  good  man 
was  not  only  concerned  for  his  family  in  his  life,  but 
38* 


450  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

even  at  his  death  also :  waiting  for  the  salvation  of 
God,  and  being  sensible  of  it,  he  very  livingly  and 
sensibly  blessed  his  seed,  and  was  opened  in  faith  to 
speak  exactly  to  each  of  their  states  and  conditions. 
I  refer  to  the  history  of  it  in  holy  Scripture,  the 
which  I  believe  will  be  affecting  to  pious  minds. 
What  a  race  he  left  behind !  all  his  twelve  sons  were 
patriarchs,  and  fathers  of  many  people,  who  were 
highly  favored  of  God,  and  had  been  to  this  day,  had 
they  walked  in  the  steps  of  their  fathers,  Abraham, 
Isaac,  and  Jacob  ;  from  whom  came  many  valiant  and 
noble  men  for  God ;  as  Moses,  Joshua,  Samuel,  David, 
Solomon,  Josiah,  Elijah,  aiid  Elisha;  also  the  holy 
blessed  Star  and  Sun  of  righteousness,  Holy  Jesus, 
whom  the  degenerate  offspring  of  good  old  Israel 
slew  and  hanged  on  a  tree.  The  holy  apostles  also 
were  great  examples  of  virtue ;  as  well  as  the  blessed 
martyrs,  and  many  modern  good  men  might  be 
brought  in  for  inviting  examples,  to  stir  up  the  minds 
of  men  and  women,  to  serve,  love,  and  follow  the 
Lord,  and  to  believe  in  him,  and  in  his  dear  Son,  and 
in  the  appearance  of  his  grace  working  in  the  soul, 
in  order  to  convince  and  convert  them. 

To  be  particular  in  all  the  above  instances,  would 
swell  this  far  beyond  what  is  intended ;  and  consid- 
ering the  many  and  large  volumes  that  are  in  the 
world,  though  a  large  door  is  opened  before  me,  yet 
I  am  now  willing  to  conclude,  and  recommend  the 
work,  with  the  reader,  to  the  grace  of  God,  in  and 
through  his  dear  Son  Christ  Jesus,  ouy  great  ex- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  451 

ample :  to  whom  with  the  Father,  through  the  divine 
Spirit,  be  glory  forever.  Thomas  Chalkley. 

"Written  at  Frederickstadt,  in  Holstein. 


Some  Observations  on  Christ's  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 


PREFACE. 

Christ  being  the  great  author  of  the  Christian 
religion,  some  observations  on  the  sermon  which  he 
preached  on  the  mount,  may  be  acceptable  to  some 
of  his  followers ;  especially  such  who  desire  to  fulfil 
his  holy  will,  and  not  to  rest  satisfied  in  a  mere  form 
and  show  of  religion. 

And  also  considering  that  it  is  the  greatest  collec- 
tion of  his  words  left  us  in  the  New  Testament  by 
the  Evangelists,  in  any  one  place,  I  was  in  hopes  some 
observations  thereon  might  tend  to  promote  the  read- 
ing of  it  in  the  holy  Scriptures. 

But  the  great  aim  I  had  in  this  undertaking  was, 
that  the  professors  of  the  name  of  holy  Jesus  might 
live  and  walk  in  his  truth,  and  in  the  doctrine  which 
he  has  there  laid  down  for  his  followers  to  practise ; 
and  that  in  so  doing  they  might  have  peace  to  their 
souls  here,  and  rest  in  the  kingdom  of  glory  forever. 

It  is  by  some  accounted  and  looked  upon  in  youth 
to  be  a  commendable  and  worthy  practice  to  write 
down  sermons,  and  to  copy  and  read  them  over ;  and 


452  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

I  believe  it  will  be  generally  acknowledged,  that 
there  was  never  any  sermon  that  can  be  compared 
with  this  preached  in  the  mount,  and  recorded  by 
the  evangelist  Matthew,  in  the  fifth,  sixth,  and  sev- 
enth chapters ;  which  if  our  young  and  rising  gener- 
ation would  often  read,  and  sometimes  write  down, 
but  be  sure  to  practise,  this  would  be  truly  noble  in 
them.  If  they  find  they  want  inward  strength  to 
perform  the  duties  it  prescribes,  let  them  seek  it  in 
secret  at  the  hand  of  the  Almighty,  in  whom  is  ever- 
lasting strength ;  and  it  is  recorded  in  holy  Scripture, 
"  That  he  gives  liberally,  and  upbraideth  not."  He 
will  not  upbraid  thee,  because  thou  art  but  a  child,  * 
or  tender  in  years.  Oh,  therefore,  seek  him  betimes ! 
for  it  is  written,  "  They  who  seek  him  early  shall 
find  him." 

If  Christians  would  walk  according  to  this  holy 
sermon,  it  would  help  to  heal  their  differences,  and 
to  soften  them  in  their  sentiments  one  to  another. 
All  .parties  will  confess  that  the  doctrine  in  this  ser- 
mon is  good,  and  ought  to  be  promoted  amongst  all 
who  profess  the  worthy  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and 
whoever  walks  contrary  to  this  rule  must  needs  be 
in  the  wrong. 

The  general  end  of  preachers  is,  or  should  be,  to 
have  their  doctrine  taken  notice  of,  and  put  in  prac- 
tice ;  and  this  being  counsel  from  the  "  Wonderful, 
Counsellor,  the  mighty  God  and  Saviour,  the  ever- 
lasting Father,  and  Prince  of  Peace,"  we  should  take 
more  than  ordinary  notice  of  it. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  453 

Considering  also  that  he  not  only  spake  his  doc- 
trine, but  lived  in  it,  and  not  only  lived  in,  but  died 
in  it  and  for  it,  and  us  also,  we  are  deeply  engaged 
tq  hear  him  with  an  obedient  heart  and  ear.  "This," 
says  the  voice  from  the  most  excellent  glory,  "is  my 
beloved  Son,  hear  ye  him."  And  Moses,  the  man  of 
God,  says,  "  He  that  will  not  hear  him,  shall  be  de- 
stroyed from  amongst  the  people ;  "  viz.,  from  an  in- 
heritance with  the  saints  in  the  kingdom  of  God,  and 
his  Christ. 

I  have  carefully  transcribed  the  sermon  verbatim, 
and  made  some  observations  on  it  afterwards,  I  think 
on  every  verse  a  little,  as  I  found  openness  to  it  on 
my  mind ;  and  it  is  recommended  to  the  serious 
perusal  and  consideration  of  all  those  who  tenderly 
and  unfeignedly  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

Thomas  Chalkley. 


"And  seeing  the  multitudes,  he  went  up  into  a 
mountain  :  and  when  he  was  set,  his  disciples  came 
unto  him,  and  he  opened  his  mouth,  and  taught  them, 
saying,"  etc. 

Our  Lord  seeing  the  multitudes,  for  the  advancing 
his  Father's  glory,  his  own  kingdom,  and  the  good 
of  souls,  went  up  into  the  mountain,  and  sat  in  the 
power  of  the  Father ;  and  when  so  sat  down,  his  dis- 
ciples came  unto  him  ;  which  shows  the  necessity  of 
coming  to  Christ,  to  hear  his  word,  and  that  Chris- 
tians ought  to  assemble  themselves  before  him,  that 
he  may  speak  to  them  either  immediately,  or  by  his 


454  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

ministers  if  he  pleases  to  enlarge  the  heart  of  any  of 
them  to  declare  his  word;  and  as  his  disciples  then 
personally  came  unto  him,  so  now  we  ought  to  come 
to  him  in  spirit ;  and  when  but  two  or  three  are  so 
come  to  him,  He  is  as  really  present  spiritually,  as  he 
was  personally  in  the  mount.  And  as  this  meeting 
in  the  mount  was  powerful  and  glorious,  so  will  all 
those  be,  in  measure,  where  Jesus  is  really  present  in 
spirit. 

"And  he  opened  his  mouth,  and  taught  them." 
Thus  when  true  believers  meet  before  Christ,  he 
teaches  them,  and  opens  the  mysteries  of  the  king- 
dom of  God,  and  speaks  truly  to  the  state  of  the 
people,  even  now  spiritually,  as  he  did  then  vocally ; 
and  his  word  is  with  power  and  great  glory.  Oh ! 
may  all  his  servants  and  ministers,  who  are  sensible 
of  his  divine  call,  minister  according  to  their  several 
gifts  and  capacities,  in  his  power,  and  by  his  holy 
and  divine  authority.  This  must  change  the  hearts 
of  poor  mortals,  and  forward  the  work  of  reformation, 
which,  with  godly  sorrow  it  may  be  truly  said,  goes 
on  but  too  slowly  in  this  world.  Christ  being  thus 
set  in  the  power  of  his  Father,  opened  his  mouth  and 
let  fall  a  shower  of  blessings  on  those  hearts  who 
were  prepared  to  receive  them.  For  his  great  love 
and  tender  compassion  are  generally  manifested  to 
poor  souls  when  they,  with  love  and  zeal  to  him,  and 
for  the  honor  of  his  great  name,  assemble  before  him. 
He  begins  and  says,  — 

"  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit,  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven." 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  455 

It  is  a  safe  and  blessed  state  to  be  spiritually  poor, 
and  to  be  rightly  sensible  of  it  before  the  Most  High. 
For  then  we  are  nothing,  and  have  nothing,  but  from 
the  Lord :  and  without  him  man  sees  himself  undone: 
his  soul  must  starve,  he  must  go  naked,  if  the  Al- 
mighty do  not  feed  and  clothe  him.  When  people 
see  themselves  poor  and  wretched,  miserable,  blind, 
and  naked,  without  Christ,  notwithstanding  all  the 
fine  things  they  may  enjoy  in  this  world,  which  is  of 
a  fading  nature,  oh,  then,  how  the  soul  cries  and 
begs  for  mercy  and  grace !  A  dry  form  of  words 
will  not  satisfy  it,  but  it  begs  with  tears,  Lord,  help 
me,  or  I  perish  !  Save  me,  or  I  am  undone  forever ! 
Here  the  soul  humbly  approaches  the  throne  of  grace 
by  prayer ;  and  if  an  answer  is  not  quickly  received, 
for  such  a  soul  is  apt  to  think  the  time  long,  it  waits 
patiently  with  that  servant  of  God,  who  said,  "  Though 
he  slay  me,  yet  will  I  trust  in  him  :  "  for  I  know 
there  is  no  help  for  me  but  from  thee,  oh,  my  God, 
and  my  Saviour!  saith  the  truly  poor  soul.  The 
food  which  must  keep  life  in  me,  is  thy  word  :  and 
the  raiment  which  I  want,  is  thy  righteousness,  as 
thou  wroughtest  it  for  me,  and  workest  it  in  me  also. 
The  Lord  looks  with  a  compassionate  eye  on  such 
souls,  and  doth  not  use  to  turn  them  away  empty ; 
but  as  they  abide  in  the* patience,  waiting  for  his  ap- 
pearance in  hope,  he  assures  them  of  the  kingdom; 
and  a  great  change  is  witnessed  ;  for  the  blessing  of 
Christ  makes  them  rich,  which  adds  no  sorrow  with 
it.    Their  greatest  sorrow  was,  and  is,  for  wan  t  of  it ; 


456  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

now  their  treasure  and  heart  is  in  heaven,  and  heav- 
enly things  are  their  chiefest  delight ;  now  they  are 
clothed  with  Christ's  righteousness,  he  hath  put  it 
upon  them,  and  they  show  it  in  the  sight  of  men,  a 
thorough  change  being  wrought  both  within  and 
without  also;  "The  holy  Spirit  bearing  witness  with 
their  spirits,  that  they  are  the  children  of  God ; " 
and  Christ  says  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

"  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn :  for  they  shall  be 
comforted." 

The  mourning  here  spoken  of,  is  of  a  godly  sort, 
which  may  sometimes  appear  outwardly.  First,  The 
soul  may  mourn  for  its  own  sins  and  iniquities ;  Second, 
For  want  of  a  Saviour ;  and  Third,  For  the  iniquities 
of  others.  "  All  have  sinned,  and  come  short  of  the 
glory  of  God ;  "  and  since  we  have  all  sinned,  we  have 
all  need  to  mourn  before  the  Lord,  and  bow  ourselves 
before  the  Most  High ;  and  when  he  sees  that  we  are 
humbled  before  him,  he  will  comfort  us.  Christ  will 
send  the  Comforter,  the  Spirit  of  Truth  in  his  name, 
who  will  come  unto  us ;  and  when  he  is  come,  we  may 
plainly  know  that  it  is  he,  by  what  he  doth,  according 
to  Christ's  own  rule,  which  is  infallible  and  certain. 
He  says,  "  When  he  is  come,  he  will  reprove,  or  con- 
vince the  world  of  sin,  of  righteousness,  and  of  judg- 
ment; of  sin,  because  they  believe  not  on  me;  of 
righteousness,  because  I  go  to  my  Father,  and  ye  see 
me  no  more ;  and  of  judgment,  because  the  prince 
of  this  world  is  judged."  Thus,  according  to  Christ, 
that  which  shows  us  our  sins,  which  convinces  us  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  457 

them,  is  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  the  Comforter ;  and  after 
we  have  mourned  for  the  sins  of  which  he  convinces 
us,  then  he  comforts  us  with  inward  comfort  and  con- 
solation. This  Comforter  also  convinceth  us  of  our 
formal  righteousness,  when  it  is  only  formal,  without 
the  power  of  Christ ;  and  then  the  soul  mourns  after 
the  life  and  power  of  godliness,  which  indeed  is  great 
gain,  with  true  contentment;  and  hath  the  promise 
of  the  things  of  this  life,  and  of  that  also  which  is  to 
come.  Here  we  are  comforted  by  the  Spirit  in  the 
promise,  in  which  we  have  faith  to  believe  in  Christ, 
that  he  will  verily  do  as  he  hath  promised.  It  also 
convinceth  us  of  judgment,  when  we  judge  with  a 
wrong  judgment;  and  when  we  mourn  for  our  mis- 
take, he  makes  us  sensible  of  his  righteous  judgment, 
which  judges  the  prince  of  this  world,  who  is  judged 
by  Christ;  and  then  instead  of  mourning,  we  are 
ready  to  sing  with  the  saints  of  old,  "  Salvation,  and 
glory,  and  honor,  and  power,  unto  the  Lord  our  God, 
for  true  and  righteous  are  his  judgments,  for  he  hath 
judged  the  beast  which  did  corrupt  the  earth,  and 
hath  revenged  the  blood  of  his  servants  at  her  hands." 
The  soul  being  truly  in  love  with  Christ,  and  he 
beins;  absent  from  it  in  some  sense;  or  if  he  seem  to 
stay  a  great  while  from  it,  although  it  be  only  to  prove 
it ;  this  makes  it  mourn  like  the  spouse  in  the  Can- 
ticles, who  sets  forth  the  beauty  and  excellent  parts 
and  comeliness  of  her  beloved,  and  her  sorrow  is, 
that  he  has  withdrawn  himself;  and  well  may  a  soul 
be  sorrowful,  when  Christ  spiritually  withdraws  him- 

39 


458  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

self.  The  children  of  the  bride-chamber  mourn  in 
the  bridegroom's  absence,  but  rejoice  in  His  presence, 
who  is  the  very  perfection  of  beauty  and  holiness. 
But  the  soul  abiding  in  his  love,  seeking  him  and 
waiting  for  him,  in  his  own  time  he  will  certainly 
come  to  that  soul ;  for  he  is  the  truth  who  said, 
"  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn,  for  they  shall  be 
comforted." 

Again,  pious  souls  cannot  but  mourn  for  the  sins 
and  abominations  of  the  times,  which  are  a  great 
exercise  to  them,  and  affect  them  with  sorrow  and 
mourning ;  but  they  are  comforted  with  blessed 
promises,  which  the  Holy  Ghost,  at  times,  immedi- 
ately applies  to  their  souls,  as  recorded  in  the  holy 
Scripture ;  and  let  it  be  remembered,  that  all  our 
good  times  are  in  the  hands  of  the  Lord.  It  is  re- 
corded in  the  holy  Scripture,  that  God  would  have 
his  people  comfortably  spoken  to ;  and  that  he  would 
"  give  them  beauty  for  ashes,  the  oil  of  joy  for 
mourning,  and  the  garment  of  praise  for  the  spirit  of 
heaviness ;  that  they  might  be  called  trees  of  right- 
eousness, the  planting  of  the  Lord,  that  he  might  be 
glorified."  • 

"  Blessed  are  the  meek  :  for  they  shall  inherit  the 
earth." 

Be  not  high-minded,  saith  one  of  his  servants ;  and 
another  saith,  God  resisteth  the  proud,  but  giveth 
grace  to  the  humble.  Again,  "  The  meek  will  he 
teach  his  way,  and  the  meek  will  he  guide  in  judg- 
ment ; "  as  the  holy  Scripture  witnesseth.     Well  said 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  459 

our  holy  Saviour,  that  the  meek  should  be  blessed : 
grace  is  given  to  them,  and  God  is  their  teacher  and 
their  guide  in  judgment;  a  most  blessed  gift,  teacher, 
and  guide.  It  is  a  great  blessing  indeed,  to  receive 
grace  from  Almighty  God,  to  be  taught  his  ways,  and 
to  have  the  holy  One  to  be  our  guide  in  judgment. 
He  who  has  all  power  in  heaven  and  in  earth  com- 
mitted into  his  hand,  says  that  the  meek  "  shall  in- 
herit the  earth  :  "  they  have  the  truest  enjoyment  of 
all  the  things  of  this  life ;  whereas  the  proud  and 
scornful  are  a  burden  to  themselves  and  others,  and 
hardly  any  thing  pleases  them,  or  is  good  enough  for 
them ;  when,  on  the  other  hand,  the  meek  and  con- 
tented mind  hath  a  continual  feast. 

"  Blessed  are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness ;  for  they  shall  be  filled." 

Let  it  be  remembered,  that  as  our  mortal  bodies 
cannot  enjoy  health  long  without  a  natural  appetite 
to  meat  and  drink,  so  our  souls  cannot  live  unto 
holiness  without  a  spiritual  hunger  and  an  inward 
thirst  after  the  righteousness  which  Christ  puts  upon 
his  saints;  not  by  imputation  only,  but  actually  also. 
Such  souls  he  will  fill,  as  Mary  witnessed  and  bore 
her  testimony  to  the  truth  thereof,  viz.  :  "  He  hath 
filled  the  hungry  with  good  things,  and  the  rich  he 
hath  sent  empty  away."  When  we  are  emptied  of 
sin  and  self,  there  is  room  for  the  Almighty  to  pour 
his  Spirit  into  us.  If  we  would  fill  any  thing,  it  must 
first  be  emptied ;  so  must  we  be  empty,  if  we  hunger 
and  thirst  after  righteousness :   then  shall  we  truly 


460  the  Journal  op 

pray  to  our  heavenly  Father  for  divine  food,  and  it 
will  be  our  meat  and  drink  to  do  his  will ;  and  we 
shall  delight  to  feed  upon  his  word ;  as  Christ  says, 
"  Man  shall  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every 
word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God."  This 
is  holy  food  for  the  soul,  which  nourishes  and  keeps 
it  alive  unto  God ;  without  this  it  is  dead,  notwith- 
standing it  may  have  the  name  of  a  living  soul.  As 
this  hunger  and  thirst,  or  desire,  must  be  spiritual, 
so  must  the  food  be  also ;  "  It  being  the  Spirit  that 
quickens,"  and  gives  life ;  wherefore  let  a  spiritual 
hunger  and  thirst  after  God  and  his  righteousness  be 
in  the  soul.  A  righteous  man  being  greatly  athirst 
after  the  living  Lord,  cries  out,  "As  the  hart  panteth 
after  the  water  brooks,  so  doth  my  soul  after  the  living 
God."  And  this  holy  thirst  was  greatly  satisfied,  so 
that  his  heart  was  many  times  sweetly  opened  to 
praise  the  Lord.  It  is  true,  we  have  an  adversary, 
that  would  be  filling  us  with  many  things,  fleshly, 
worldly,  and  satanical ;  but  we  are  to  shut  our  hearts 
against  him,  to  keep  out'all  those  things,  and  to  stand 
open  to  Christ,  empty  before  him.  If  we  find  our 
adversary  too  hard  for  us,  we  are  to  flee  and  cry  to 
the  Lord  for  succor  and  help,  who  is  a  God  not  only 
afar  off,  but  also  near  at  hand,  a  present  help  in  the 
needful  time,  as  many  of  his  servants  and  children 
have  experienced.  "Wherefore,  to  be  hungry  and 
thirsty  after  Christ  and  his  righteousness,  entitles 
us  to  his  gracious  promise,  who  says  they  shall  be 
filled. 


THOMAS  CHALKLEY.  461 

"Blessed  are  the  merciful,  for  they  shall   obtain 
mercy." 

It  is  highly  necessary  for  mortals  to  show  mercy 
in  all  their  words  and  actions  one  to  another ;  and 
also  to  the  creatures  which  God  hath  made  for  the 
use  of  man.  It  is  usually  said,  that  a  merciful  man 
is  merciful  to  his  beast,  which  generally  is  true ;  and 
if  men  are  merciful  to  their  beasts,  how  much  more 
ought  they  to  be  merciful  one  to  another.  Where 
mercy  is  to  be  extended,  it  ought  not  to  be  done 
sparingly,  since  thereby,  according  to  Christ's  blessed 
doctrine,  we  are  to  obtain  mercy.  That  servant  who 
showed  no  mercy  to  his  fellow,  had  no  mercy  showed 
to  him  from  his  lord.  It  is  also  recorded,  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord,  "  He  hath  shown  unto  thee,  0  man !  what 
is  good,  and  what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but 
to  do  justly,  love  mercy,  and  walk  humbly  with  thy 
God."  By  which  it  appears  that  we  are  not  just  in 
the  sight  of  God,  if  we  are  cruel  and  unmerciful  one 
to  another.  And  we  ought  not  only  to  be  merciful, 
but  to  love  it,  which,  if  we  are  truly  humble,  we  shall 
certainly  do.  Mercy  will  lessen,  and  not  magnify 
weakness,  failings,  or  small  and  trivial  things,  one  in 
another ;  and  sometimes,  as  the  case  may  require, 
larger  things.  Yet  there  is  room  for  seasonable  re- 
proof and  correction  ;  but  mercy  must  be  mixed  with 
justice,  else  the  correction  may  end  in  tyranny.  We 
ought  to  be  gentle  to  all  men,  which  is  a  token  of  true 
gentility ;  so  to  be  truly  merciful,  is  to  be  blessed,  and 
to  obtain  mercy. 
39* 


462  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

"  Blessed  are  the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see 
God." 

By  which  we  may  understand,  that  we  are  to  take 
care  of  our  hearts,  and  to  keep  a  strict  watch  over 
them ;  and  not  admit  unclean  or  unchaste  thoughts, 
or  sinful  desires,  to  have  an  entrance  therein.  And 
if  at  unawares  they  should  at  any  time  enter,  we 
must  not  entertain  or  love  them,  but  turn  them  out ; 
for  we,  in  this,  should  be  like  our  heavenly  Father, 
of  purer  eyes  than  to  behold  iniquity  with  any  allow- 
ance or  approbation  :  otherwise  it  will  hinder  us  from 
seeing  God,  and  from  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  his  most 
precious  presence,  and  from  beholding  the  only-be- 
gotten of  the  Father,  and  the  fulness  of  his  grace  and 
truth,  which  we  cannot  see  if  our  hearts  are  impure. 
We  have  an  instance  in  the  scribes  and  pharisees,  who, 
though  they  were  outwardly  righteous  and  clean,  yet 
within  were  very  impure,  so  that  they  could  not  see 
God,  though  he  was  in  Christ  reconciling  the  world 
to  himself:  notwithstanding  their  nice  discerning  eyes, 
yet  they  could  not  see  him,  for  the  impurity  of  their 
hearts ;  which  was  so  great,  that  they  murdered  the 
just  One,  their  hearts  being  full  of  deceit  and  hypoc- 
risy. "  Make  clean  the  inside,  and  the  outside  will 
be  clean  also,"  says  Christ :  from  whence  it  appears, 
that  a  true  Christian  must  be  clean  both  within  and 
without.  The  beginning  of  the  work  of  purity  and 
sanctity  must  be  within  ;  and  being  innocent  and 
pure  in  heart,  we  shall  then  see  the  glory  of  the 
Father,  the  lovely  beauty  of  the  Son,  and  the  power 
of  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  Spirit. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  463 

"  Blessed  are  the  peacemakers,  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God." 

This  peacemaking  is  excellent  work,  and  a  blessed 
calling ;  what  pity  it  is,  that  there  are  not  more  work- 
men in  the  world  who  would  set  themselves  heartily  to 
it,  which  if  they  did,  in  a  right  spirit,  God  would  cer- 
tainly prosper  the  work  in  their  hands,  and  plenti- 
fully reward  them  with  his  own  peace,  which  passeth 
the  understanding  of  the  natural  man.  If  our  ingen- 
ious men,  our  men  and  women  of  skill  and  good  natural 
parts,  would  take  a  little  pains,  nay,  when  the  case 
requires  it,  a  great  deal,  the  Almighty  would  richly 
reward  them.  This  work  is  not  too  mean  even  for 
princes  and  nobles ;  no,  not  even  the  greatest  mon- 
archs  on  earth,  unless  it  be  too  mean  for  them  to  be 
called  the  children  of  God.  And  if  the  children  of 
God  are  peacemakers,  what  and  whose  children  are 
they  who  break  the  peace  of  nations,  comv~--,nities, 
and  families?  Wherefore  we  should  seek  pe^Ge  with 
all  men,  and  ensue  it,  or  sue  for  it,  by  our  continual 
seeking  of  it,  being  a  precious  jewel  when  found;  and 
though  this  office  may  seem  a  little  unthankful  at 
first,  yet  in  the  end  it  brings  forth  the  peaceable 
fruits  of  righteousness,  as  many  so  laboring  have 
witnessed.  And  Christ,  to  encourage  the  work,  says, 
"  They  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God;"  which 
are  the  words  of  the  King  of  kings ;  and  if  the 
princes  of  this  world  would  promote  this  work  among 
themselves,  it  would  save  a  vast  expense  of  treasure 
and  of  blood;  and  as  these  peacemakers  are  to  be 


464  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

called  the  children  of  God,  they  who  are  truly  con- 
cerned herein,  are  not  only  so  called,  but  are  so  in 
deed  and  in  truth. 

"  Blessed  are  they  who  are  persecuted  for  right- 
eousness' sake :  for  theirs  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

Persecution  may  be  considered  in  relation  to  cal- 
umny and  reproach,  and  in  imprisonments,  confine- 
ments, or  the  like,  or  taking  away  life  or  goods  on 
a  religious  account,  for  conscientious  scruples,  etc. 
What  sad  work  hath  there  been  on  this  account  in 
the  world,  not  among  Turks  and  Jews  only,  but 
among  professors  of  Christianity,  which  is  indeed  a 
great  reproach  to  that  holy  name.  Persecution  for 
righteousness'  sake  is  not  fit  for  Turks  or  Jews, 
much  less  for  the  professors  of  our  meek  Lord ;  his 
dispensation  and  gospel  being  absolutely  the  reverse 
of  ib,  which  is  a  shameful  sin  to  all  men  in  all  nations. 
However,  the  persecuted  have  this  comfort  in  the 
midsi,  of  all  their  sufferings  :  they  are  blessed  of 
Christ  their  Lord,  who  himself  suffered  for  them ; 
and  they  are  promised  by  him  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 
By  which  doctrine  it  may  be  safely  concluded,  that 
the  members  of  his  true  church  never  persecuted 
any,  though  they  have  been  often  persecuted  ;  but 
the  eyes  of  many  are  now  open  to  see  the  evil  of  it, 
and  a  spirit  of  moderation  begins  to  grow  and  spring 
in  divers  parts  of  the  earth. 

It  is  to  be  desired,  that  the  moderation  of  Chris- 
tians might  more  and  more  increase,  and  appear  to 
all  men ;  because  God  is  at  hand,  who  will  justify 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  465 

the  innocent,  whom  he  knows  better  than  any  man, 
because  he  sees  their  hearts,  and  he  will  condemn 
none  but  the  guilty.  How  shall  the  Jews  be  con- 
verted, or  the  Turks  be  convinced  of  the  verity  of 
the  Christian  religion,  while  its  professors  are  tearing 
and  rending  one  another :  had  it  not  been  for  the 
immoderation  and  persecution  among  professors  of 
Christ  in  Christendom,  so  called,  it  is  probable  Chris- 
tianity would  have  made  far  greater  progress  in  the 
four  quarters  of  the  world  long  before  this  time,  than 
it  hath  done.  Persecution  hath  been  proposed  by 
the  immoderate  to  allay  heats  and  divisions,  and  cure 
breaches  ;  but  the  ancient  history  of  persecution,  and 
the  modern  practice  of  it,  fully  convince  us,  that  it 
hath  always  tended  to  make  the  hot  hotter,  the 
divisions  greater,  and  the  breach  wider,  and  so  the 
contention  to  grow  endless;  which  nothing  will  end 
but  a  calm  and  quiet  temper,  the  mind  being  cooled 
by  the  gentle  influences  of  the  holy  Spirit  of  Christ, 
the  immaculate  Lamb,  who  came  not  to  destroy,  or 
devour,  but  to  seek  and- to  save  that  which  was  lost 
and  gone  astray,  that  he  might  bring  them  home  to  his 
fold  of  rest  in  his  Father's  kingdom. 

"  Blessed  are  ye,  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and 
persecute  you,  and  say  all  manner  of  evil  against 
you  falsely,  for  my  sake. 

"  Rejoice  and  be  exceeding  glad  :  for  great  is  your 
reward  in  heaven  :  for  so  persecuted  they  the  prophets 
who  were  before  you." 

There  is  a  persecution  as  before  hinted,  by  calumny 


466  THE    JOURNAL    OP 

and  reproach,  or  reviling,  by  evil  speaking  and  falsi- 
ties, which,  for  the  most  part,  it  is  better  patiently 
and  quietly  to  suffer  for  Christ's  sake,  and  if  we  are 
abused  to  appeal  to  him ;  for  many  times  words  beget 
words,  till  at  last  it  comes  to  prejudice,  and  breaks 
the  unity  and  peace  of  brethren  and  families.  So 
that  in  a  general  way  one  had  better  suffer  the  cal- 
umnies and  reproaches  of  evil  men,  with  a  tender 
concern  for  God's  glory,  resting  in  the  blessing  of 
Christ ;  and  that  thou  wilt  most  surely  feel  if  thou 
canst  appeal  to  him  on  this  wise,  "  Lord,  thou  knowest 
I  suffer  this  wrong  for  thy  sake."  In  such  sufferings 
there  is  an  inward  joy,  a  spiritual  rejoicing,  and  the 
heart  of  the  persecuted  is  abundantly*  more  glad, 
through  the  blessing  and  goodness  of  Christ,  than 
the  persecutor,  whose  conscience  accuseth  him  in 
secret.  And  as  to  personal  persecution,  it  is  no  more 
than  the  prophets  and  our  Lord  suffered  before  us  : 
and  with  that  consideration  Christ  comforts  his  suf- 
fering seed  :  Those  who  suffer  with  him  and  his  seed, 
these  have  the  promise  of  reigning  with  him ;  and 
himself  hath  promised  them  a  reward,  no  less  than 
the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

"  Ye  are  the  salt  of  the  earth  :  but  if  the  salt  hath 
lost  its  savor,  wherewith  shall  it  be  salted  ?  it  is 
thenceforth  good  for  nothing,  but  to  be  cast  out,  and 
to  be  trodden  under  foot  by  men." 

Here  Christ  showeth  that  his  followers  must  season 
the  earth,  by  living  a  savory  life,  and  by  walking 
according  to  his  doctrine,  which   is  wonderfully  set 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  467 

forth  in  this  excellent  sermon.     If  we  live  up  to  those 

holy  rules,  we  shall  be  serviceable  in  our  generation, 

and  our  lives  will  teach  the  people  as  well  as  our 

words,  and  better  too,  by  how  much  example  is  better 

than  precept.     And  indeed  Christians  ought  to  be 

careful  in  both ;  in  life  to  live  holy,  and  in  words  to 

be  sparing,  observing  to  "Let  their  words  be  few 

and  savory,  and  seasoned  with  grace,  that  they  may 

minister'   grace   to    the   hearers."     Thus   should  we 

season  the  world,  and  salt  it  with  the  salt  of  the 

covenant ;   but  if  we  lose  this  savor  of  grace,  and 

take  a  liberty  which   Christ  and  his   truth  do  not 

allow  of,  speaking  things  at  random,  which  are  not. 

convenient    or    edifying,    but    altogether    unsavory, 

then,  according  to  our  Master,  who  is  in  heaven,  we 

are  good  for  nothing  but  to  be  cast  out,  i.  e.,  out  of 

the  church,  to  be  trampled  upon  by  men,  as  in  truth 

we  deserve :  not  that  our  bodies  are  to  be  killed  or 

destroyed ;  for  the  door  of  the  church  is  always  open 

to  receive  true  penitents :  but  for  this  end  and  good 

purpose  we  are  chastened  of  the  Lord,  that  the  soul 

may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord.     And  those 

who  know  godly  sorrow  for  their  sins,  and  turn  from 

the  evil  of  their  ways  by  amendment  of  life,  those 

Christ  forgives,  and  adviseth  his  church  to  do  the 

same,   saying,  "  If  he  repent,  forgive  him ; "  which 

repentance  is  best  manifested  by  a  new  life  and  a 

holy  and  blameless  conversation. 

"Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world;  a  city  set  oo  a 
hill  cannot  be  hicl." 


468  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

True  and  faithful  Christians  are  indeed  as  stars  in 
God's  firmament,  which  are  of  excellent  use  to  people 
in  the  night,  and  more  especially  when  they  are  not 
clouded,  arid  in  a  particular  manner  to  those  who 
travel  on  the  seas,  for  when  they  have  not  seen  the 
sun  for  a  season,  then  they  are  good  guides  to  the 
sea-faring;  man  ;  and  likewise  in  the  wilderness  on  the 
land.  This  world  is  like  a  wilderness,  and  like  the 
troubled  sea,  to  some  poor  souls ;  and  good  men  and 
good  women  are  serviceable  to  reprove  and  instruct 
in  righteousness :  "  Such,"  says  Daniel  the  prophet, 
"  shall  shine  as  the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  and 
as  the  stars,  forever  and  ever."  And  these  are  like 
a  city  set  upon  a  hill,  which  cannot  be  hid. 

"  Neither  do  men  light  a  candle,  and  set  it  under 
a  bushel,  but  on  a  candlestick ;  and  it  giveth  light 
to  all  that  are  in  the  house." 

Men,  when  divinely  enlightened  by  the  grace  and 
spirit  of  Christ,  ought  to  exert  themselves  to  their 
Master's  glory  and  excite  others,  and  stir  them  up 
to  their  duty ;  and  to  endeavor,  as  much  as  in  them 
lies,  to  promote  the  kingdom  and  interest  of  our 
dear  Lord.  For  men  are  God's  candles,  as  the  Scrip- 
ture saith,  "  The  spirit  of  man  is  the  candle  of  the 
Lord ; "  and  this  candle  is  often  lighted  by  Christ, 
who  "  Lighteth  every  man  that  cometh  into  the 
world,"  and  is  the  true  light  of  the  great  Father  of 
lights.  The  great  and  good  end  of  Christ's  lighting 
man's  spirit,  and  illuminating  him  with  divine  light, 
is,  that  he  may  shine  out  to  others  in  a  good  conver- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  469 

sation  and  a  holy  life,  which  is  serviceable  to  others 
and  himself  also,  and  answers  the  end  of  Him  who 
enlightened  him  by  the  fire  of  his  word,  or  with  a 
coal  from  his  holy  altar ;  being  thus  lighted  and 
walking  in  it,  as  the  nations  of  them  that  are  saved 
shall  walk  in  the  light  of  the  Lamb.  Here  all  the 
house,  or  society,  is  truly  lighted  by  such  lights; 
and  those  who  have  received  greater  gifts,  or  degrees 
of  divine  light  from  Christ,  than  some  others,  and 
may  have  a  larger  share  of  natural  or  acquired  parts, 
ought  not  to  hide  it,  as  our  Lord  phrases  it,  under  a 
bushel,  but  put  it  in  its  proper  place,  on  a  candle- 
stick ;  and  as  the  candle  is  of  little  use  when  it  is 
put  out,  therefore  we  ought  to  be  very  careful  to  keep 
to  watchfulness  and  prayer,  that  it  be  kept  lighted  in 
time  of  darkness ;  for  "  The  candle  of  the  wicked  is 
often  put  out." 

"  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may 
see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which 
is  in  heaven." 

Since  there  is  a  bright  and  shining  nature  and 
quality  in  the  holy  lives  of  Christ's  servants,  and  in 
the  conversation  of  his  faithful  followers,  therefore 
it  should  be  manifest  and  appear  before  men;  our 
lamp  should  be  burning  and  our  light  shining ;  and 
we  should  take  care  to  keep  holy  oil  in  our  vessels, 
that  therewith  our  lamps  may  be  supplied,  otherwise 
folly  instead  of  wisdom  will  appear  in  our  conver- 
sations, which  will  be  a  hinderance,  when  our  great 
bridegroom  cometh,  to  our  entrance  into  life,  or  God's 
40 


470  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

kingdom,  and  greatly  hindereth  our  Master  s  glory, 
of  which  we  are  by  all  means  to  endeavor  tne  fur- 
therance. Men  generally  take  more  notice  of  our 
evil  works,  and  when  an  evil  eye  is  open,  will  sooner 
see  them,  than  our  good  ones ;  so  that  we  had  need 
to  be  very  careful,  and  keep  a  holy  watch  in  our  con- 
versations, that  our  light  may  so  shine,  that  our 
Father  who  is  in  heaven  may  be  glorified,  in  our 
bringing  forth  much  good  fruit. 

"  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to  destroy  the  law  or 
the  prophets :  I  am  not  come  to  destroy,  but  to  fulfil. 

"  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  Till  heaven  and  earth 
pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in  no  wise  pass  from 
the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled." 

The  excellency  of  the  dispensation  of  the  glorious 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  is  wonderful !  having  no  ten- 
dency to  destroy  the  law  of  God  given  by  Moses ; 
for  Christ's  doctrine  comes  up  through  it,  fulfils  it, 
and  goes  beyond  it,  in  perfection  and  in  the  beauty 
of  holiness,  and  in. the  life  and  power  of  pure  religion. 

"  For  I  say  unto  you,  except  your  righteousness 
shall  exceed  that  of  the  scribes  and  pharisees,  ye 
shall  in  no  case  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 

Those  scribes  and  pharisees  had  a  righteousness, 
but  it  was  one  of  their  own  making,  an  outside  one 
only,  whereas  within  they  were  full  of  deceit  and 
hypocrisy ;  they  cried  up  righteousness  in  words,  and 
/et  cried  out  against  him  who  taught  it  in  the  great- 
est purity, .  and  sought  his  destruction ;  they  were 
notable  examples  to  all  persecutors  fc  r  religion.     Our 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  471 

Lord  and  his  servants  did  not  speak  against  outward 
holiness,  but  that  the  inside  should  be  the  same ;  for 
living  righteousness  leads  to  inward  and  outward 
purity,  which  is  manifest  by  its  fruit;  and  those 
fruits  are  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  which  are,  love,  meek- 
ness, temperance,  patience,  experience,  hope,  and  char- 
ity, or  brotherly  love ;  of  which  those  people  showed 
very  little  to  Christ.  He  was  sensible  of  their  envy 
and  malice,  which  were  very  contrary  fruits  to  holi- 
ness ;  and  therefore  he  tells  them  that  hear  him,  that 
their  "  Righteousness  must  exceed  that  of  the  scribes 
and  pharisees,  or  they  in  no  case  shall  enter  the  king- 
dom of  heaven." 

"  Ye  have  heard  that  it  was  said  by  them  of  old 
time,  Thou  shalt  not  kill ;  and  whosoever  shall  kill 
shall  be  in  danger  of  the  judgment. 

"  But- 1  say  unto  you,  that  whosoever  is  angry  with 
his  brother  without  a  cause,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the 
judgment :  and  whosoever  shall  say  to  his  brother, 
Baca,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  council :  but  whoso- 
ever shall  say,  Thou  fool,  shall  be  in  danger  of  hell- 
fire." 

Here  we  may  learn  that  the  law  provided  nothing 
against  anger,  only  in  this  case,  against  shedding  of 
blood,  and  many  times  if  anger  is  too  much  kindled 
it  sets  the  soul  on  fire  of  hell,  if  it  be  not  timely 
quenched.  People,  as  it  grows  hotter,  call  one  an- 
other out  of  their  names,  and  take  the  name  of  the 
Lord  in  vain,  break  the  third  commandment,  swear- 
ing by  him,  and  cursing  men.     We  may  plainly  see 


472  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

by  Christ's  doctrine,  that  anger,  without  cause,  is 
dangerous.  Soft  words  from  a  sedate  mind  will  won- 
derfully help  in  this  case  :  it  is  not  easily  conceived 
what  a  mighty  advantage  Satan  hath  upon  one  that 
is  angry  without  a  cause  :  and  we  are  often  apt  to 
think  we  have  cause  when  we  have  none  at  all ;  and 
then  we  make  work  for  repentance,  without  which  we 
are  in  danger  of  hell-fire.  Wherefore  every  true 
Christian  ought  to  watch  against  the  evil  of  anger; 
and  yet  there  may  be  anger  where  there  is  real  cause, 
without  sin. 

"  Therefore  if  thou  bring  thy  gift  to  the  altar,  and 
there  rememberest  that  thy  brother  hath  aught 
against  thee ; 

"  Leave  there  thy  gift  before  the  altar,  and  go  thy 
way ;  first  be  reconciled  to  thy  brother,  and  then 
come  and  offer  thy  gift." 

The  Christian  religion  admits  of  no  malice  or  guile; 
the  worship  of  it  is  in  spirit  and  truth,  and  love, 
without  hypocrisy,  without  deceit  or  hatred :  if  we 
come  with  these  to  the  altar,  they  will  hinder  our 
acceptance.  Though  we  may  indeed  have  a  gift,  we 
are  to  seek  reconciliation,  and  not  say,  Let  him  come 
to  me,  I  will  not  go  to  him ;  but  Christ  tells  us  we 
must  go  to  him ;  and  if  thou  go  to  the  offended  in  a 
meek  and  Christian  spirit,  and  seek  reconciliation, 
if  thy  brother  will  not  be  reconciled,  if  the  fault  .be 
in  him,  thou  hast  done  thy  duty,  and  thy  gift  will 
be  received,  and  Christ  will  manifest  himself  to  thee 
by  his  grace  and  spirit.     But  yet  art  thou  to  seek  for 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  473 

peace,  he  having  ordained  it,  and  laid  it  as  a  duty 
incumbent  on  thee. 

"  Agree  with  thine  adversary  quickly,  whiles  thou 
art  in  the  way  with  him ;  lest  at  any  time  the  adver- 
sary deliver  thee  to  the  judge,  and  the  judge  deliver 
thee  to  the  officer,  and  thou  be  cast  into  prison. 

"  Verily  I  say  unto  thee,  Thou  shalt  by  no  means 
come  out  thence,  till  thou  hast  paid  the  uttermost 
farthing." 

It  is  plain  from  hence,  that  Jesus  is  for  a  quick  and 
speedy  end  to  differences ;  "Agree  with  him  quickly ; " 
for  it  is  of  dangerous  consequence  to  let  disagree- 
ments lay  long,  they  eat  like  a  canker,  and  they 
destroy  the  very  nature  of  religion.  Personal  differ- 
ences are  a  great  hurt  to  families,  to  churches,  and  to 
nations  and  countries,  especially  when  espoused  by 
parties ;  then  what  rending,  tearing,  and  devouring 
work  it  makes :  wherefore  take  Christ's  counsel,  and 
agree  quickly.  If  the  difference  be  on  the  account 
of  debt,  and  the  debt  be  just,  it  is  better  to  offer  up 
one's  self  and  all  that  he  has  in  the  world,  than  to 
stand  out  with  one's  adversary,  till  it  come  to  the 
utmost  extremity  :  and  for  Christians  to  go  to  law 
one  with  another,  is  contrary  to  the  apostle's  advice ; 
and  oftentimes  the  gainer  of  the  cause  loses  by 
going  to  law ;  so  that  it  is  good  to  agree  quickly ; 
it  being  profitable  so  to  do,  both  spiritually  and  nat- 
urally. 

"  Ye  have  heard  that  it  was  said  by  them  of  old 
time,  Thou  shalt  not  commit  adultery. 
40* 


474  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

"But  I  say  unto  you,  whosoever  looketh  on  a 
woman  to  lust  after  her,  hath  committed  adultery 
with  her  already  in  his  heart." 

The  law  was  against  adultery;  but  the  gospel  is 
against  lust;  and  where  there  is  no  lust,  there  can 
be  no  adultery ;  for  then  the  occasion  of  adultery  is 
taken  away;  and  the  cause  being  taken  away,  the 
♦effect  of  course  ceaseth.  Behold  the  chaste  and  pure 
doctrine  of  Christ,  and  his  holy  dispensation,  greatly 
excelling  the  law,  or  Mosaic  dispensation !  Our 
blessed  Saviour  doth  not  admit  of  an  unchaste  or 
lustful  looking  upon  women;  much  less  of  immodest 
salutations,  touches,  embraces,  or  discourses,  which 
all  tend  to  beget  lust  in  the  hearts  of  men ;  and  lust 
conceived  brings  forth  sin ;  and  sin  when  finished, 
brings  forth  death  to  the  soul. 

"Atid  if  thy  right  eye  offend  thee,  pluck  it  out, 
and  cast  it  from  thee :  for  it  is  profitable  for  thee 
that  one  of  thy  members  should  perish,  z  nd  not  that. 
thy  whole  body  should  be  cast  into  hell. 

"  And  if  thy  right  hand  offend  thee,  cut  it  off,  and 
cast  it  from  thee :  for  it  is  profitable  for  thee  that 
one  of  thy  members  should  perish,  and  not  that  thy 
whole  body  should  be  cast  into  hell." 

Christ  compares  the  sinful  lusts  and  inclinations, 
which  are  the  cause  of  men's  destruction,  and  their 
being  cast  into  hell,  to  a  right  eye,  or  a  right  hand, 
two  of  the  most  useful  and  serviceable  members  of 
the  body ;  not  that  he  intended  that  we  should  cut 
off  our  natural  members,  but  that  we  should  cu*  off 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  475 

these  sinful  lusts,  and  cast  them  from  us,  though 
they  were  as  a  right  eye  or  hand.  It  is  very  much 
against  nature,  and  very  painful,  to  pull  out  an  eye, 
or  cut  off  a  hand  ;  so  sin  of  many  kinds  is  very  agree- 
able to  the  natural  man,  and  it  is  very  hard  for  him 
to  part  with  it;  he  pleads  the  use  of  it,  and  when 
Christ,  the  physician  of  the  soul,  comes  to  put  his 
knife  to  it,  which  is  his  word,  poor  man  is  too  apt  to 
fly  from  it,  and  to  shrink  from  under  its  stroke :  the 
holy  baptist,  John,  understanding  our  Lord's  doctrine, 
and  being  sensible  of  the  powerful  working  of  Christ's 
word  and  spirit,  says,  "  Now  also  the  axe  is  laid  to 
the  root  of  the  trees,  every  tree  therefore,  which 
bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is  hewn  down  and  cast 
into  the  fire." 

"  Again,  ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said  by 
them  of  old  time,  Thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself, 
but  shalt  perform  unto  the  Lord  thine  oaths. 

"  But  I  say  unto  you,  Swear  not  at  all;  neither  by 
heaven,  for  it  is  God's  throne  : 

"  Nor  by  the  earth,  for  it  is  his  footstool :  neither 
by  Jerusalem,  for  it  is  the  city  of  the  great  King. 

"Neither  shalt  thou  swear  by  thy  head,  because 
thou  canst  not  make  one  hair  white  or  black. 

"But  let  your  communication  be,  Yea,  yea;  Nay, 
nay :  for  whatsoever  is  more  than  these,  cometh  of 
evil." 

It  was  allowed  to  the  Jews  to  vow  to  the  Lord,  and 
swear  by  his  name,  provided  they  performed  their 
vows  and  oaths.     But  here  our  Lord  prohibits  acd 


476  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

abolishes  all  swearing  with  an  "  I  say  unto  you,  Swear 
not  at  all."  Though  swearing  Christians  will  have 
it  that  he  here  prohibits  only  vain  swearing,  or 
common  swearing,  this  cannot  be,  because  the  oaths 
he  here  speaks  of  were  solemn,  and  to  the  Lord. 
And  the  apostle  James  tells  us,  "  "We  must  not  swear 
by  any  oath."  Neither  did  the  primitive  Christians 
swear  at  all;  and  Christians  ought  to  be  so  just  in 
their  conversation,  as  that  their  solemn  words  or 
promises  would  give  them  credit  without  any  need 
of  oaths.  If  more  than  yea,  yea,  and  nay,  nay,  be 
evil,  it  must  also  be  evil  to  require  more,  and  that 
it  is  evil  if  it  be  more,  as  all  vows  and  oaths  are,  we 
have  Christ  for  our  author,  a  good  foundation  to  build 
upon. 

"  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  An  eye  for 
an  eye,  and  a  tooth  for  a  tooth  : 

"  But  I  say  unto  you,  That  ye  resist  not  evil :  but 
whosoever  shall  smite  thee  on  thy  right  cheek,  turn 
to  him  the  other  also. 

"  And  if  any  man  will  sue  thee  at  the  law,  and 
take  away  thy  coat,  let' him  have  thy  cloak  also." 

There  was  liberty  by  the  law  of  Moses,  for  a  man 
to  revenge  himself,  if  he  had  an  injury  done  to  him  ; 
but  Christ  teacheth  patient  suffering ;  we  are  not  to 
give  any  offence,  but  we  are  to  take  them  quietly 
for  his  sake,  in  which  Jesus  was  an  excellent  example 
to  us,  whose  sufferings  were  not  for  himself,  but  for 
us :  he  turned  his  cheek  to  the  smiter,  and  his  face 
to  those  that  plucked  off  the  hair.     To  a  man  of 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  477 

courage  and  choler,  this  indeed  is  no  smaL  cross; 
but  he  must  deny  himself,  and  take  up  Christ's  cross 
daily,  and  follow  him,  if  he  will  be  his  disciple :  and 
as  for  the  law,  it  is  better  never  to  meddle  with  it, 
in  a  general  way ;  and  if  thy  coat  by  law  is  taken 
away,  thou  hadst  better  give  him  thy  cloak  than 
stand  another  trial  with  him :  and  it  is  much  if  thou 
art  not  a  gainer  by  so  doing.  But  the  gain  is  not 
urced  as  the  motive ;  but  obedience  to  Christ,  our 
great  Lord  and  good  Master,  who  said,  "  If  ye  love 
me,  keep  my  commandments." 

"  Give  to  him  that  asketh  thee,  and  from  him  that 
would  borrow  of  thee  turn  not  thou  away." 

We  are  here  to  suppose  the  asker  to  be  in  real 
want  and  necessity,  and  the  borrower  also  to  stand 
in  need,  and  the  asked  to  be  in  a  capacity  and  of 
ability  to  supply  and  assist  the  asker  and  borrower ; 
and  in  such  case  we  are  by  no  means  to  refuse  to  give 
him  that  asketh,  nor  turn  away  from  him  who  would 
borrow  of  us.  If  we  are  not  in  a  capacity  to  supply, 
we  are  yet  to  use  mild  and  friendly  expressions ;  for 
Christians  should  be  courteous  and  kind  to  all,  and 
particularly  to  the  distressed.  And  if  we  think  the 
askers  or  borrowers  are  not  worthy  or  deserving  for 
their  own  sakes,  we  should,  if  need  be,  give  and  lend 
for  Christ's  sake,  and  in  obedience  to  him,  though  it 
cross  our  own  inclinations. 

"  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor,  and  hate  thine  enemy. 

"But  I  say  unto   you,  Love  your  enemies,  bless 


478  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

them  that  curse  you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you, 
and  pray  for  them  who  despitefully  use  you,  and  per- 
secute you ; 

"  That  ye  may  be  the  children  of  your  Father  who 
is  in  heaven :  for  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the 
evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just 
and  on  the  unjust." 

The  Hebrews  had  liberty  to  hate  their  enemies; 
but  no  people,  by  any  dispensation,  had  liberty  to  hate 
their  neighbors  or  friends ;  so  that  those  who  are  in 
that  state  are  far  beyond  the  line  of  truth.  But, 
says  our  holy  Lawgiver,  "  I  say  unto  you,  love  your 
enemies."  If  we  love  our  enemies,  we  can  in  no  wise 
destroy  them,  although  it  were  in  our  power.  Again, 
"  Bless  them  that  curse  you."  But,  alas !  how  apt 
are  men,  and  even  those  who  would  think  it  hard  to 
be  told  they  are  disobedient  to  Christ,  to  render 
railing  for  railing,  and  cursing  for  cursing,  instead  of 
blessing.  "  Do  good  to  them  thai?  hate  you."  If  we  are 
sensible  that  anybody  hates  us,  and  have  demonstra- 
tion of  it,  for  sometimes  we  imagine  it  when  it  is  not 
so,  yet  are  we  to  do  them  all  the  good  turns  we  can. 
"And  pray  for  them  who  despitefully  use  you,  and 
persecute  you."  Thus  we  are  not  to  render  evil  for 
evil,  but  to  overcome  the  evil  with  that  which  is  good. 
Sweet  was  our  Lord's  example  to  us  in  this  when  he 
said,  "  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what 
they  do."  If  spiteful  persecutors  really  know  what 
they  do  when  they' persecute  the  just,  their  damna- 
tion must  needs  be  very  great ;  but  if  we  do  good  for 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  479 

evil,  as  Christ  hath  taught,  then  are  we  the  children 
of  our  heavenly  Father,  "  Who  maketh  his  sun  to  rise 
on  the  evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the 
just  and  on  the  unjust." 

"  For  if  ye  love  them  who  love  you,  what  reward 
have  ye  ?  do  not  even  the  publicans  the  same  ? 

"And  if  ye  salute  your  brethren  only,  what  do 
you  more  than  others  ?  do  not  even  the  publicans  so  ?  " 

Our  virtue  is  much  more  shining  in  loving  those 
who  do  not  love  us,  than  in  loving  those  who  do.  It 
is  natural  for  us  to  love  those  who  love  us,  and  we 
should  be  ungrateful  if  we  did  not;  but  the  reward  is 
greater,  if  we  love  them  who  do  not  love  us,  which 
must  be  manifested  in  deeds,  as  well  as  words ;  for 
saying  and  doing  sometimes  are  two  things,  which 
made  the  apostle  say,  "  Our  love  must  not  be  with 
word  and  with  tongue  only,  but  in  deed  and  in 
truth." 

As  to  friendly  and  hearty  salutations,  that  may  be 
necessary  or  needful,  we  should  not  only  manifest 
them  to  our  brethren,  but  as  occasion  requires  to  all, 
it  being  a  shining  virtue  in  Christians  to  be  kind  to 
strangers,  and  to  show  forth  a  generous  and  loving 
temper  and  deportment  to  such  as  may  not  be  of  us ; 
though  not  in  a  nattering,  modish,  or  complimental 
way,  but  hearty  and  respectful,  according  to  the 
plainness  of  Christ  and  the  simplicity  of  his  gospel, 
without  respect  of  persons,  respect  being  too  generally 
shown  to  high,  more  than  to  them  of  low  degree.  As 
we  are  not  to  refuse  our  friendly  salutations  to  the 


480  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

great,  or  the  rich,  so  we  are  not  to  neglect  the  poor, 
for  the  publicans  do  so. 

"Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as  your  Father 
which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect." 

Christ  would  have  us  to  be  perfect  in  the  practice 
of  his  doctrine,  and  to  live  up  to  it  in  perfect  obedi- 
ence, according  to  the  best  of  our  judgment  and 
understanding,  and  not  to  do  his  work  by  halves,  but 
honestly  and  perfectly,  according  to  the  measure  of 
grace  received.  Some  have  received  twice,  some 
thrice  so  much  as  some  others,  as  the  parable  of  the 
talents  plainly  showeth ;  but  whatever  discoveries  or 
manifestations  of  grace,  light,  or  truth,  we  have  re- 
ceived, we  ought  to  walk  up  to  them  perfectly; 
"  Even  as  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect." 
As  the  Almighty  is  perfect  in  his  love,  justice,  mercy, 
grace,  and  truth,  unto  poor  mortals,  in  Christ  Jesus, 
his  only-begotten,  and  in  all  his  works,  so  ought  we 
to  be  perfect  in  our  known  duty  :  as  it  is  written, 
"  Ye  shall  be  holy,  for  I  the  Lord  your  God  am  holy." 
So  must  we  be  according  to  the  degree  of  grace 
received. 

It  is  supposed  that  nobody  will  imagine  that  any 
mortal  can  come  up  in  degree  with  the  Almighty, 
but  according  to  our  measure,  gift,  and  degree  of 
grace  received,  we  are  to  be  holy  and  perfect,  as  Grod, 
our  heavenly  Father,  and  Christ,  our  dear  Lord,  are 
so  in  fulness. 

"  Take  heed  that  ye  do  not  your  alms  before  men, 
to  be  seen  of  them :  otherwise  ye  have  no  reward  of 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  481 

"Therefore  when  thou  doest  thine  alms,  do  not 
sound  a  trumpet  before  thee,  as  the  hypocrites  do,  in 
the  synagogues  and  in  the  streets,  that  they  may 
have  glory  of  men.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  they  have 
their  reward. 

"  But  when  thou  doest  alms,  let  not  thy  left  hand 
know  what  thy  right  hand  doeth  : 

"  That  thine  alms  may  be  in  secret:  and  thy  Father 
which  seeth  in  secret,  himself  shall  reward  thee 
openly." 

The  Christian  religion,  in  its  purity,  according  to 
the  doctrine  of  the  founder  of  it,  is  a  compassionate 
religion,  and  full  of  pity,  as  well  as  piety.  It  is  a 
holy  composition  of  charity  and  goodness.  The  apostle 
thus  describes  it :  "  Pure  religion,  and  undefiled  be- 
fore God  and  the  Father,  is  this,  to  visit  the  fatherless 
and  widows,  in  their  affliction ;  and  to  keep  himself 
unspotted  from  the  world. ,T  This  is  pure  religion, 
and  this  is  the  Christian  religion  :  happy  are  those 
who  walk  up  to  it,  and  live  according  to  the  precepts 
of  Him  who  dictated  them ;  then  the  widows  and  the 
fatherless  would  not  be  neglected ;  the  poor  would  be 
very  generously  taken  care  of,  and  our  garments  kept 
clean,  and  all  done  as  secretly  as  may  be.  For  when 
we  proclaim  our  alms-deeds  and  charity,  we  lose  our 
reward  from  our  heavenly  Father.  Also  when  alms 
are  given,  it  ought  to  be  done  in  the  spirit  of  love 
and  meekness,  and  so  received ;  else  the  receiver  loses 
a  second  benefit,  and  the  giver  his  heavenly  reward. 

To  give  to  the  poor  is  to  lend  to  Him  that  made  us, 
41 


482  t    THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  we  shall  have  good  and  greater  measure  returned 
us  again.  If  we  hope  to  have  the  gates  of  Christ's 
kingdom  opened  to  us  at  last,  our  hearts  must  also  be 
opened  to  the  poor  and  needy,  when  in  distress ;  re- 
membering the  words  of  Christ,  where  he  says  to 
some  who  were  waiting  for,  and  wanting  an  entrance 
into  the  kingdom,  "  I  was  hungry,  and  ye  gave  me  no 
meat ;  I  was  naked,  and  ye  clothed  me  not.  I  was 
sick  and  in  prison,  and  ye  visited  me  not."  They 
answered,  "Lord,  when  saw  we  thee  hungry,  naked, 
sick,  or  in  prison,  and  did  not  feed  thee,  clothe  thee, 
and  visit  thee?  "  He  answers,  "  Inasmuch  as  ye  did 
it  not  to  one  of  the  least  of  these,  my  brethren,  ye 
did  it  not  to  me."  He  sympathizes  with  his  poorest 
and  meanest  members,  whatever  others  do,  and  takes 
that  which  is  done  to  them,  as  if  done  to  himself, 
whether  it  be  good  or  bad.  We  should  be  good  to 
all,  but  especially  to  Christ's  members,  or  the  house- 
hold of  the  faithful  keepers  of  his  commandments. 
Our  alms  being  thus  distributed,  according  to  our 
ability  and  the  necessities  of  the  object,  without 
ostentation,  and  in  secret,  our  munificent  Father,  who  , 
sees  in  secret,  will  openly  reward  us. 

How  many  rich  men  are  there  in  the  world,  who 
have  made  great  and  costly  entertainments  for  their 
rich  friends,  neighbors,  and  relations;  and  if  their 
substance  be  so  great  that  it  is  not  felt  by  them, 
they  had  the  more  need  to  remember  the  poor ;  when 
they  never  so  much  as  spare  the  tithe  of  it  to  them, 
though  the  poor  have  ten  times  the  need  of  it ;  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  483 

though  Christ  says,  "When  thou  makest  a  feast, 
invite  not  thy  rich  friends,  for  they  will  invite  thee 
again  ;  but  call  the  poor,  the  lame,  and  the  blind,"  etc. 

"  And  when  thou  prayest,  thou  shalt  not  be  as  the 
hypocrites  are,  for  they  love  to  pray  standing  in  the 
synagogues,  and  in  the  corners  of  the  streets,  that 
they  may  be  seen  of  men.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  they 
have  their  reward. 

"But  thou,  when  thou  prayest,  enter  into  thy 
closet,  and  when  thou  hast  shut  thy  door,  pray  to  thy 
Father  which  is  in  secret;  and  thy  Father  which  seeth 
in  secret,  shall  reward  thee  openly. 

"  But  when  ye  pray,  use  not  vain  repetitions,  as 
the  heathen  do :  for  they  think  they  shall  be  heard 
for  their  much  speaking. 

"  Be  not  ye  therefore  like  unto  them :  for  your 
Father  knoweth  what  things  ye  have  need  of  before 
you  ask  him." 

Prayer  is  absolutely  necessary  for  the  being  and 
well-being  of  a  Christian  ;  an  outside  formal  Christian 
may  use  the  form,  though  unreformed  ;  but  it  availeth 
little  without  reformation.  Private  prayer,  according 
to  Christ's  rule,  is  effectual  and  rewardable,  agree- 
able to  his  doctrine.  He  also  speaks  against  hypocrisy 
and  loving  to  be  seen  of  men,  with  a  command  not  to 
be  like  unto  those  who  do  so.  "  But  thou,  when  thou 
prayest,  enter  into  thy  closet."  When  we  feel  and 
are  sensible  of  a  divine  call,  —  thi§  must  of  course  be 
the  right  and  best  .time,  for  Christ  has  not  set  us  a 
distinct  hour,  —  then  we  are  to  enter  into  the  closet  of 


484  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

an  humble  heart  or  mind,  or  some  secret  place  in 
private.  This  is  Christ's  order  for  particular  persons 
in  a  general  way  ;  but  is  not  intended  to  prevent 
such  who  are  rightly  concerned  to  pray  in  the  pub- 
lic assemblies  or  gatherings  of  the  church ;  for  we 
have  Christ  for  our  example,  who  prayed  openly  and 
publicly  with  his  disciples. 

"  But  when  ye  pray,  use  not  vain  repetitions,  as  the 
heathen  do ;  for  they  think  to  be  heard  for  their  much 
speaking."  Formal  repetitions  of  prayer,  repeated  day 
by  day,  when  they  are  not  according,  but  contrary  to 
the  states  of  those  by  whom  they  are  read  or  repeated, 
must  needs  be  vain  ;  and  people  may  vainly  make  use 
of  the  Lord's  own  form  in  that  case,  though  it  is  the 
best  in  the  world,  and  to  think  to  be  heard  for  much 
speaking,  is  to  run  into  the  error  of  the  heathen. 
"  Be  not  ye,"  says  Christ,  "  therefore  like  unto  them; 
for  your  Father  knoweth  what  things  ye  have  need 
of,  before  ye  ask  him."  Prayer  is  a  gift  from  God 
and  from  Christ ;  and  as  we  wait  on  God  in  Christ's 
name  and  power,  he  will  give  us  that  gift,  when  he 
sees  we  stand  in  need  of  it,  or  that  it  will  be  for  our 
edification.  For  he  has  promised  to  pour  out  the 
spirit  of  prayer  and  of  supplication  upon  his  people. 
A  great  apostle  said,  "  If  he  prayed,  he  would  pray 
with  the  Spirit."  In  another  place  he  says,  "  We 
know  not  what  we  should  pray  for,  as  we  ought ;  but 
the  Spirit  itself  maketh  intercession  for  us,  with  groan- 
ings  that  cannot  be  uttered."  Likewise,  "  The  Spirit 
also  helpeth  our  infirmities."     Since  there  is  no  form 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  485 

like  that  of  Christ's,  it  is  here  set  down,  that  people 
might  take  diligent  care  to  learn  it,  and  to  teach  it  to 
their  children.  But  if  they  learn  it  rightly,  they  must 
also  learn  to  live  in  it:  that  is,  live  according  to  it; 
otherwise  they  will  mock,  instead  of  serving  Him,  who 
made  both  it  and  them  for  his  own  honor  and  the 
glory  of  his  name. 

"  After  this  manner  therefore  pray  ye  :  Our  Father 
who  art  in  heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name : 

"  Thy  kingdom  come :  thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as 
it  is  in  heaven. 

"  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread. 

"And  forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our 
debtors. 

"  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us 
from  evil ;  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power, 
and  the  glory,  forever.     Amen. 

"  For  if  ye  forgive  men  their  trespasses,  your 
heavenly  Father  will  also  forgive  you. 

"  But  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their  trespasses,  neither 
will  your  Father  forgive  your  trespasses." 

A  short  form  and  but  few  words,  but  of  excellent 
composition.  And  truly  happy  are  those  who  live  so 
in  their  conversation  that  they  may,  when  they  use 
them,  do  it  without  falsehood  or  deceit ;  enjoying  the 
answer  of  peace  in  the  practice  of  it,  and  the  sense 
of  grace  influencing  the  soul. 

First;  "Our  Father  who  art  in  heaven."  The 
great  Creator,  our  universal  Father,  hath  made  us 
and  all  nations,  of  one  blood ;  but  there  is  another, 

41* 


486  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

and  a  nearer  relation  to  him  than  this,  to  be  a  child 
of  God  by  regeneration.  If  we  live  in  an  unregen- 
erate  state,  in  our  sins  and  lusts,  all  which  are  of 
Satan,  then  Christ  says,  "  Ye  are  of  your  father  the 
devil ;  and  the  lusts  of  your  father  ye  will  do ; "  and 
in  another  place  he  says,  "  Whosoever  shall  do  the 
will  of  my  Father  who  is  in  heaven,  the  same  is  my 
brother,  and  sister,  and  mother."  It  is  into  this 
relation  that  the  soul  ought  to  come,  who  can  truly 
and  religiously  say,  "  Our  Father,"  etc. 

Second ;  "  Hallowed  be  thy  name."  Do  we  sanctify 
the  holy  name  of  the  God  of  the  whole  earth  ?  Do 
we  religiously  observe  to  fear  and  serve  him  ?  Do 
we  profane  his  awful  name,  by  taking  it  in  vain,  and 
living  in  sin  and  vanity  ?  This,  instead  of  hallowing 
and  sanctifying  his  name,  is  to  dishonor  and  reproach 
it  on  our  part,  though  he  will  hallow  and  honor  his 
own  name  in  justice  and  judgment,  on  profane  and 
ungodly  livers,  at  the  last  day,  when  he  shall  come 
to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead  by  Jesus  Christ. 
God  will  not  be  mocked ;  such  as  every  one  sows, 
such  shall  they  reap,  whether  sin  unto  death,  or 
righteousness  unto  life. 

Third;  "  Thy  kingdom  come."  His  kingdom  is  a 
kingdom  of  righteousness.  Happy  souls !  who  seek 
the  righteousness  of  it  betimes  and  continue  in  it  to 
the  end.  If  this  kingdom  come,  Satan's,  which  is  a 
kingdom  of  sin  and  unrighteousness,  must  needs  fall. 

Oh  !  that  the  rising  generation  might  be  strong  to 
overcome  the  wicked  one,  and  to  be  instruments  to 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  487 

pull  down  his  kingdom,  and  promote  the  kingdom 
of  God  and  his  Christ.  If  we  do  not  believe  that 
Satan's  power  and  kingdom  may  and  ought  to  be 
destroyed  in  us,  how  can  we  pray  without  hypocrisy 
for  the  coming  of  God's  holy  kingdom?  Believing 
we  must  live  and  die  in  sin,  is  a  great  support  to 
Satan's  kingdom,  and  a  great  hinderance  of  the  coming 
of  the  kingdom  of  the  dear  Son  of  God. 

Fourth ;  "  Thy  will  be  done  in  earth  as  it  is  in 
heaven."  Most  certainly  the  will  of  God  is  punctu- 
ally and  perfectly  done  in  heaven ;  and  hardly  any 
who  make  use  of  this  blessed  form  but  believe  it  is 
so ;  but  it  is  the  misery  of  many  souls  to  believe  it 
not  possible  for  them  to  do  God's  will  here  on  earth, 
as  it  is  done  in  heaven.  So  that  such  pray  in  un- 
belief, or  without  a  true  faith ;  and  the  apostle  says, 
"  What  is  not  of  faith  is  sin."  Is  it  not  also  charging 
Christ  with  commanding  that  which  cannot  be  done  ? 
It  is  worthy  our  sedate  consideration.  He  hath  sown 
grace,  and  ought  in  justice  to  reap  it  from  all  mortals. 
The  great  sower,  Christ,  sows  in  all  sorts  of  men  or 
grounds  :  the  grace  of  God  appears  to  all  men,  and 
teaches  them  to  deny  ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts, 
to  live  soberly,  and  righteously,  and  godly,  in  the 
present  world.  But  antichrist  teaches  that  it  cannot 
be  done  here  on  earth  as  in  heaven. 

Fifth ;  "  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread."  "We 
not  being  capable,  without  his  blessing,  of  procuring 
bread  for  our  bodies  or  souls,  either  natural  or  super- 
natural ;  and  because  our  souls  cannot  live  without 


488  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

the  last,  "no  more  than  our  bodies  without  the  first, 
therefore  we  ought  to  pray  to  our  heavenly  and  most 
holy  Father  for  both,  without  doubting  :  and  this 
should  be  done  daily,  either  in  words,  holy  sighing, 
or  spiritual  groans,  the  Almighty  knowing  the  lan- 
guage of  the  soul  in  the  one,  as  well  as  in  the  other. 

Sixth ;  "  Forgive  us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our 
debtors."  Or,  as  one  of  the  evangelists  hath  it,  "Our 
trespasses,  as  we  forgive  them  who  trespass  against 
us ; "  which  is  to  the  same  end  and  purpose.  If 
a  debtor  is  indebted  to  us,  and  happens,  through 
some  accident  or  other,  to  be  insolvent,  and  hath  not 
wherewith  to  pay,  we  are  to  forgive  him,  else  how 
can  we  expect  God  to  forgive  us.  For  we  are  all  his 
debtors,  and  have  nothing  that  we  can  call  our  own, 
to  pay  that  great  debt  which  we  owe  to  Him,  our 
mighty  creditor ;  who  might  lawfully  cast  us  into  an 
eternal  jail.  But,  oh !  his  infinite  mercy  and  love  to 
us  poor  mortals :  he  would  have  us  to  imitate  him, 
and  forgive  one  another,  as  we  expect  he  should  for- 
give us.  And  since  offences  and  trespasses  will  come, 
we  must  forgive,  and  the  more  freely,  when  the  person 
offending  sues  for  it,  by  humble  petition,  to  the  offended. 
If  we  forgive  not,  neither  will  our  heavenly  Father 
forgive  us  our  trespasses. 

Seventh ;  "  And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but 
deliver  us  from  evil ;  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  the 
power,  and  the  glory,  forever.     Amen." 

That  is,  lead  us  into  truth  and  righteousness,  which 
is  the  same  with  leading  us  out  of  sin   and  out  of 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  489 

temptation  :  for  we  pray  to  be  led  out  of  it  by  pray- 
ing not  to  be  led  into  it ;  seeing  we  are  not  to  under- 
stand that  the  Almighty  will  tempt  any  man  to  evil. 
"If,"  says  the  apostle,  "any  man  is  tempted,  let  him 
not  say  that  he  is  tempted  of  God,  for  God  tempteth 
no  man,  but  he  is  tempted  when  he  is  drawn  away  of 
his  own  lust."  Though  he  doth  sometimes  permit-and 
suffer  us  to  be  tempted,  and  when  we  fall  into  divers 
temptations,  and  escape  them,  we  have  cause  to  be 
joyful,  and  thankful  that  we  are  delivered  out  of 
them,  and  give  the  glory  to  God,  who  is  the  great 
preserver  of  men :  whose  "  is  the  kingdom,  and  the 
power,  and  the  glory,  forever.     Amen." 

"  Moreover,  when  ye  fast,  be  not  as  the  hypocrites, 
of  a  sad  countenance,  for  they  disfigure  their  faces, 
that  they  may  appear  unto  men  to  fast.  Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  they  have  their  reward. 

"  But  thou,  when  thou  fastest,  anoint  thine  head 
and  wash  thy  face  ; 

"  That  thou  appear  not  unto  men  to  fast,  but  unto 
thy  Father  which  is  in  secret,  and  thy  Father  which 
seeth  in  secret  shall  reward  thee  openly." 

Christ  would  have  all  our  works  of  piety,  virtue, 
and  charity,  all  our  religious  duties  done  in  the  divine 
love  and  filial  fear  of  God,  and  not  for  vainglory  or 
ostentation.  And  truly,  without  we  expect  our  reward 
from  men,  there  is  no  need  of  an  outward,  hypocritical 
show,  in  such  duties  as  that  is  of  fasting,  when  truly 
called  to  it,  and  truly  performed.  This  the  Jews  were 
much  in  the  practice  of;  but  many  of  them  being 


490  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

formal  hypocrites  in  it,  our  Lord  reprehends  them, 
and  warns  his  hearers  to  shun  the  like  deceit ;  and 
tells  them,  if  they  fast  secretly,  their  heavenly  Father 
will  reward  them  openly :  yet  we  must  not  be  open 
sinners,  or  private  ones  either :  for  open  or  public  sin 
is  damning,  if  not  repented  of  and  forsaken,  as  well 
as  private  deceit. 

"  Lay  not  up  for  yourselves  treasure  upon  earth, 
where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where  thieves 
break  through  and  steal : 

"  But  lay  up  for  yourselves  treasure  in  heaven, 
where  neither  moth  nor  rust  doth  corrupt,  and  where 
thieves  do  not  break  through  nor  steal : 

"  For  where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  heart 
be  also." 

Earthly  treasures  are  very  apt  to  take  up  the  mind 
and  draw  it  from  heaven ;  and  because  Christ  would 
have  his  children  to  be  in  heaven  with  him,  in  tender 
love  he  adviseth  them  not  to  lay  up  for  themselves 
riches  or  treasure  on  earth.  If  it  be  said  we  lay  it 
up  for  our  children,  it  may  be  said  also,  it  is  the  same 
snare  for  them  as  to  the  parents,  and  sometimes  a 
greater ;  and  when  it  is  gotten,  it  is  liable  to  many 
casualties,  and  creates  a  great  deal  of  care  and  trouble. 
Wherefore  Christ  tenderly  adviseth  to  seek  after,  and 
lay  up  treasure  of  another  nature,  in  a  safer  and  better 
place,  which  will  not  be  liable  to  the  like  casualties, 
and  urgeth  us  to  it,  with  this  great  reason  :  "  For 
where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your  hearts  be 
also."  Oh  !  may  every  true  Christian's  treasure  and 
heart  be  there  forever. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  491 

"  The  light  of  the  body  is  the  e^e  :  if  therefore 
thine  eye  be  single,  thy  whole  body  shall  be  full  of 
light. 

"  But  if  thine  eye  be  evil,  thy  whole  body  shall  be 
full  of  darkness:  if  therefore  the  light  which  is  in 
thee  be  darkness,  how  great  is  that  darkness." 

It  is  not  good  to  look  on  men  or  things  with  an 
evil  eye;  but  singly  to  look  on  one's  self  and  others, 
in  the  fear  of  God,  having  a  single  eye  to  his  glory ; 
and  then  being  enlightened  by  his  divine  light,  we 
shall  discern  between  good  and  evil.  Whereas  if 
there  be  any  double-dealings,  or  looking,  or  thinking, 
or  if  ungodly  self  be  in  the  bottom,  and  not  the  glory 
of  God,  then  our  light  will  be  darkness,  and  that 
darkness  will  be  very  great ;  as  it  is  said  in  the  holy 
Scriptures,  a  double-minded  man  is  unstable  in  all 
his  ways :  so  that  our  Saviour's  doctrine  is  good ;  to 
have  a  single  eye,  and  to  avoid  all  double-dealing. 

"  No  man  can  serve  two  masters ;  for  he  will  either 
hate  the  one  and  love  the  other ;  or  else  he  will  hold 
to  the  one,  and  despise  the  other :  ye  cannot  serve 
God  and  mammon." 

We  cannot  give  our  hearts  to  God  and  to  this 
world,  and  the  things  of  it  also,  so  as  to  set  our  af- 
fections on  both,  for  the  apostle  saith,  "  If  any  man 
love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father  is  not  in  him." 
And  again,  "  The  love  of  n  oney  is  the  root  of  all 
evil;"  i.  e.,  the  inordinate  love  of  it,  and  seeking 
after  it,  more  than  for  our  Maker  and  Saviour.  Then 
let  us  despise  the  world  and  the  things  of  it,  in  com- 


492.  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

parison  of  our  God  and  our  Saviour.  We  do  not 
understand  by  those  words  of  Christ,  that  he  intended 
to  debar  us  from  seeking  a  comfortable  accommoda- 
tion for  ourselves  and  families  in  this  world ;  but 
that  we  should  not  set  our  hearts  and  affections  upon 
it;  ibr  we  cannot  equally  affect  both  heaven  and 
earth. 

"  Therefore  I  say  unto  you,  Take  no  thought  for 
your  life,  what  ye  shall  eat,  or  what  ye  shall  drink ; 
nor  yet  for  your  body,  what  ye  shall  put  on :  is  not 
the  life  more  than  meat,  and  the  body  than  raiment  ? 

"  Behold  the  fowls  of  the  air :  for  they  sow  not, 
neither  do  they  reap,  nor  gather  into  barns ;  yet  your 
heavenly  Father  feedeth  them.  Are  ye  not  much 
better  than  they  ?  " 

Christ  would  have  us  without  anxious  thoughts 
about  our  living  in  this  world,  i.  e.,  about  our  eating, 
drinking,  and  clothing,  and  tells  us,  "  That  the  life  is 
more  than  meat,  and  the  body  more  than  raiment ; " 
by  which  he  shows  us,  that  he  who  gave  the  life,  will, 
by  his  providence,  support  it :  and  as  he  hath  formed 
the  body,  he  will  form  that  which  must  feed  it ;  and 
that  we  might  the  more  depend  upon  God's  provi- 
dence, he  teaches  us  by  the  fowls  of  the  air,  which 
neither  sow  nor  reap,  nor  gather  into  barns,  and  yet 
their  great  Creator  feedeth  them ;  and  asks,  If  we 
are  not  much  better  than  they  ?  So  that  we  being 
more  noble  creatures,  need  not  doubt  of  the  care  and 
providence  of  God,  and  his  blessing  on  the  labor  of 
our  hands;   though   our   hearts   are   not   concerned 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  493 

* 

unnecessarily  about  it,  but  we  have  freely  given  them 
to  God,  and  his  Christ,  our  Saviour. 

"  Which  of  you,  by  taking  thought,  can  add  one 
cubit  to  his  stature  ?  " 

The  farmers  or  planters  cannot  by  their  thought- 
fulness,  cause  their  corn,  fruits,  or  cattle  to  multiply 
or  grow ;  nor  the  tradesman  his  custom,  goods,  or 
business,  without  a  proper  application,  which  our 
Saviour  is  not  against,  only  he  would  have  us  with- 
out an  encumbered  and  over-caring  mind.  The  mer- 
chant likewise,  by  all  his  thoughtfulness,  cannot  bring 
home  his  ship  from  afar,  nor  carry  her  safe  to  her 
desired  port.  All  things  on  this  wise  are  in  the 
hands  of  Almighty  God,  and  it  is  our  duty  to  trust 
in  him,  and  to  depend  upon  his  divine  providence 
for  meat,  drink,  and  clothing,  for  happiness  here,  and 
hereafter,  forever. 

"  And  why  take  ye  thought  for  raiment  ?  Consider 
the  lilies  of  the  field  how  they  grow ;  they  toil  not, 
neither  do  they  spin  : 

"  And  yet  I  say  unto  you,  that  even  Solomon,  in 
all  his  glory,  was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these. 

"  Wherefore,  if  God  so  clothe  the  grass  of  the  field, 
which  to-day  is,  and  to-morrow  is  cast  into  the  oven, 
shall  he  not  much  more  clothe  you,  oh !  ye  of  little 
'  faith  ? 

"  Therefore  take  no  thought,  saying,  What  shall 
we  edX,  or  what  shall  we  drink,  or  wherewithal  shall 
we  be  clothed  ? 

"  For  after  all  these  things  do  the  gentiles  seek ; 

42 


494  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

for  your  heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  ye  have  need 
of  all  these  things." 

Many  people  now,  as  well  as  then,  are  very  fond 
of  their  clothing,  and  love  to  be  gay  and  fashionable 
therein;  and  some  are  not  a  little  proud  of  their 
clothes,  and  are  thoughtful  how  they  may  deck  them- 
selves to  be  admired.  Our  Lord,  who  was  meek  and 
lowly  of  heart,  sends  us  to  the  lily  to  consider  her 
beauty  and  glory  and  innocent  thoughtlessness,  de- 
claring that  Solomon,  in  all  his  grandeur  and  splen- 
dor, was  not  arrayed  like  one  of  these :  for  this  is  a 
natural  sweetness  and  gayety  the  lily  is  clad  with  ; 
but  Solomon's,  as  also  most  men's  and  women's,  is 
generally  but  artificial.  If  God  so  clothe  the  grass 
of  the  earth,  will  he  not  clothe  us;  if  we  believe  not, 
we  must  have  but  very  little  true  faith.  So  that  it 
would  be  much  better  for  us  to  consult  how  we  shall 
please  God  and  honor  him,  and  his  holy  Son  and 
divine  name,  than  to  consult  what  we  shall  eat  or 
drink,  or  how,  or  wherewith  we  shall  be  clothed, 
which  things  the  gentiles  sought  after,  more  than 
after  God.  But  we,  knowing  that  our  heavenly 
Father  seeth  that  we  have  need  of  all  these  things, 
should  chiefly  leave  it  to  him,  and  first  seek  his  king- 
dom and  righteousness. 

"  But  seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his 
righteousness,  and  all  these  things  shall  be  added 
unto  you. 

"  Take  therefore  no  thought  for  the  morrow :  for 
the  morrow  shall  take  thought  for  the  things  of  itself. 
Sufficient  unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof." 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  495 

Here  is  a  glorious  gospel  promise;  upon  seeking 
first  the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  righteousness,  all 
these  things  shall  be  added  to  us,  viz.,  meat,  drink, 
and  raiment,  the  necessary  things  that  we  want  to 
support  us  while  we  are  in  this  world.  But  let  us 
remember,  it  must  be  our  first  work,  it  must  be  the 
chief  desire  of  our  souls.  It  must  be  first  in  several 
senses  :  first  as  to  our  young  and  tender  years ;  first, 
in  the  morning  of  every  day ;  first,  in  respect  of 
all  other  things.  First,  as  it  hath  pleased  God  to 
give  us  a  being  in  this  world,  and  being  in  the  prime 
and  flower  of  our  years,  we  should  then  devote  our 
souls  to  God  and  his  work  and  service,  and  enter 
into  covenant  with  him,  with  full  purpose  of  heart  to 
keep  the  same  truly  and  inviolably ;  for  it  would  be 
better  not  to  make  a  covenant,  than  to  make  it  and 
break  it.  Neither  should  we  slight  or  put  off  the 
work  of  God  till  we  are  in  our  declining  years,  as 
though  we  would  give  him  only  the  refuse  and  broken 
end  of  our  days,  and  conclude  it  will  better  become 
us  when  we  are  old,  to  serve  him.  Oh,  no  !  learn  the 
fear  of  God  truly,  and  practise  it  when  thou  art  young, 
and  thou  wilt  not  easily  depart  from  it  when  thou 
art  old.  Thou  wilt  find  it  hard  to  get  into  a  holy  life 
and  conversation,  when  thou  hast  been  spending  thy 
youth  in  vanity  and  folly ;  therefore,  "  Remember 
now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  before 
the  evil  day  come."  The  autumn  of  man's  years  is 
in  divers  respects  called  the  evil  day.  Oh !  it  is 
exceedingly  sweet  and  precious  to  see  an  innocent 


496  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

life,  and  modest,  sober  conversation  in  youth,  when 
they  are  in  their  blooming  years,  seasoned  with  grace 
and  truth.  When  youth  is  laden  with  the  fruits  of 
grace,  and  of  the  holy  Spirit,  how  pleasant  is  the 
taste  of  it ;  it  relishes  well  with  all  men,  and  natu- 
rally brings  praise  to  God,  as  well  as  peace  to  the 
soul.  May  the  youth  of  this  present  generation,  as 
also  generations  to  come,  be  such  holy  plants,  that 
God's  right  hand  may  be  seen  in  planting  them : 
when  after  being  fruitful,  and  doing  the  work  and 
service  of  their  day,  and  answering  the  noble  end  of 
God  in  making  and  planting  them  in  this  world,  they 
may  be  transplanted  into  the  eternal  kingdom  of 
heaven :  which,  doubtless,  they  will,  who  first  seek 
his  kingdom  and  the  righteousness  of  it. 

Second  ;  If  we  consider  that  our  life  and  being  are 
daily  granted  to  us,  and  we  are  supported  by  the 
goodness  and  providence  of  Almighty  God  every  day, 
it  is  but  just  that  he  should  have  the  first  of  our 
thoughts,  in  the  morning  of  the  day,  as  well  as  the 
last  in  the  evening.  The  royal  psalmist  saith,  "  If  I 
prefer  not  Jerusalem  before  my  chiefest  joy,  then  let 
my  right  hand  forget  its  cunning,  and  my  tongue 
cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth ; "  much  more  ought 
we  to  prefef  our  Creator  to  all  things,  and  to  have  our 
thoughts  on  him,  first  in  all  things,  and  every  day. 

Third ;  What  are  the  things  of  this  world  in  com- 
parison of  those  that  are  to  come ;  all  these  are  fading 
and  transitory;  but  the  things  of  that  which  is  to 
come   are   durable   and    permanent;    and   therefore 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  497 

ought  to  be  Erst  and  chief  in  our  minds.  That  which 
is  chief  in  our  hearts,  may  be  said  to  have  the  first 
place  there.  "  One  thing,"  says  a  servant  of  God, 
"  have  I  desired,  and  that  will  I  seek  after,  that  I 
might  dwell  in  the  house  of  God  all  the  days  of  my 
life."  This  is  the  first  thing  we  are  to  seek  for.  As 
for  the  morrow,  we  need  not  be  too  thoughtful  or 
anxious  concerning  it,  for  we  know  not  whether  we 
shall  live  to  enjoy  it,  so  that  as  Christ  says,  "  Suffi- 
cient unto  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof." 

"  Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged  : 

"For  with  what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye  shall  be 
judged ;  and  with  what  measure  ye  mete,  it  shall  be 
measured  to  you  again." 

A  great  and  wise  expression  from  a  righteous  and 
just  Judge ;  the  Judge  of  heaven  and  of  earth,  to 
whom  all  power  in  both  is  given ;  by  which  we  may 
easily  perceive  we  are  to  be  very  careful  in  our  judg- 
ment and  censure  of  others,  and  that  we  be  not  rash 
and  censorious  therein ;  considering  that  with  what 
judgment  we  judge  our  fellow-mortals,  with  such 
shall  we  also  be  judged  ourselves,  and  that  measure 
which  we  measure  out  to  others,  shall  be  filled  to  us 
again.  When  it  comes  to  our  turn  to  be  judged,  or 
censured  by  others,  for  anything  which  we  have  done 
or  said,  we  are  ready  then  to  cry  out  for  charity ; 
are  we  so  careful  to  be  charitable  in  judging  and  cen- 
suring others ! 

It  is  better  to  suspend  personal  judgment,  without 

we  could  see  the  hearts  of  men ;  and  if  we  think  we 
42* 


498  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

do,  then  to  imitate  God  and  Christ,  and  mix  mercy 
and  love  with  judgment;  rashness  and  extremes  in 
judgment  being  commonly  hurtful. 

"  And  why  beholdest  thou  the  mote  that  is  in  thy 
brother's  eye,  but  considerest  not  the  beam  that  is  in 
thine  own  eye  ? 

"  Or  how  wilt  thou  say  to  thy  brother,  let  me  pull 
out  the  mote  that  is  in  thine  eye,  and  behold  a  beam 
is  in  thine  own  eye. 

"  Thou  hypocrite,  first  cast  out  the  beam  out  of 
thine  own  eye,  and  then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to  cast 
out  the  mote  out  of  thy  brother's  eye." 

True  it  is,  that  the  transgressions  of  others  are 
very  afflicting  to  those  who  fear  God;  and  this  passage 
is  not  intended  to  hinder  the  good  from  reproving  the 
evil ;  but  shows  us  that  we  must  be  clear  of  evil  in 
ourselves  when  we  reprove  others,  else  the  guilt  of 
hypocrisy  will  be  laid  at  our  door.  We  are  to  look 
more  at  our  own  failings  than  at  the  failings  of  others, 
and  to  take  special  care  that  we  are  clear  of  that  for 
which  we  reprove  others ;  and  is  it  not  deceit,  to  set 
up  for  reformers  of  others,  when  there  are  great  defects 
in  ourselves  ?  It  is  too  general  a  fault  in  poor  mortals 
to  be  quicker  sighted  to  see  the  faults  of  others,  than 
their  own.  Our  Saviour's  words  to  the  Jews,  who 
brought  the  woman  to  him,  and  told  him,  by  their 
law  she  ought  to  die,  are  worthy  of  notice;  he  an- 
swers, "  He  that  is  without  sin,  let  him  cast  the  first 
stone  at  her."  They  being  guilty,  and  convicted  of 
sin  in  their  own  consciences,  left  her  to  Christ,  and 


THOMAS   CHALKLET.  499 

went  their  way :  and  when  we  have  done  what  we 
can  to  convince  others  of  sin,  we  must  leave  them  to 
Christ  at  last ;  whether  we  are  in  sin  or  without  it ; 
but  we  shall  be  the  better  able  to  help  to  reform 
others,  if  we  are  clear  from  guilt  in  our  own  hearts. 

"  Give  not  that  which  is  holy  to  dogs,  neither  cast 
ye  your  pearls  before  swine,  lest  they  trample  them 
under  their  feet,  and  turn  again  and  rend  you." 

When  we  see  the  biting  and  persecuting  nature, 
and  dirty,  selfish  spirit  of  men,  it  is  to  little  purpose, 
generally,  to  cast  before  them  the  precious  pearl  of 
truth,  or  to  show  unto  them  the  deep  mysterj.es  of 
the  kingdom  of  God,  or  the  light  of  life,  they  being 
in  a  brutish  spirit ;  but  when  people  are  sober,  and 
show  forth  humanity  and  moderation,  then  are  holy 
things  valuable  to  them,  and  the  things  of  Christ's 
kingdom  and  his  doctrine  precious  in  their  eyes. 
"Wherefore  it  greatly  behooveth  Christ's  ministers  to 
minister  that  to  the  people  which  is  suitable  for  them, 
and  rightly  to  divide  between  the  precious  and  the 
vile,  and  to  give  to  every  one  their  portion,  according 
to  their  deeds;  mercy  to  whom  mercy,  and  judgment 
to  whom  judgment  belongs  ;  without  partiality,  and 
without  hypocrisy  or  deceit ;  and  not  to  flatter  and 
daub  those  who  are  in  the  doggish  and  swinish  nature. 

"  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you  ;  seek,  and  ye  shall 
find ;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you. 

"  For  every  one  that  asketh,  receiveth;  and  he  that 
seeketh,  findeth ;  and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall 
be  opened. 


500  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

"  Or  what  man  is  there  of  you,  whom  if  his  son 
ask  bread,  will  he  give  him  a  stone  ? 

"  Or  if  he  ask  a  fish,  will  he  give  him  a  serpent  ? 

"  If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good 
gifts  to  your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your 
Father  who  is  in  heaven  give  good  things  to  them 
that  ask  him?" 

Our  kind  and  tender  Kedeemer  would  stir  up  and 
provoke  souls  to  prayer  and  supplication ;  he  has  been 
liberal  in  his  holy  advice ;  and  to  stir  us  up  to  it,  here 
are  moving  expressions,  if  thy  heart  be  open  to  receive 
them.*  Could  we  have  easier  terms  if  we  were  to  make 
them  ourselves  with  the  Lord,  than  to  ask,  and  have ; 
seek,  and  find ;  knock,  and  the  gates  are  opened ;  pro- 
vided we  ask  in  faith,  tenderly,  and  seek  in  humility, 
and  knock  with  divine  wisdom  and  submission  ?  Our 
Lord's  own  practice  shows  that  we  should  be  tender, 
submissive,  and  fervent  in  prayer ;  and  then  the  fer- 
vent prayer  of  the  righteous  availeth  much  with  the 
Lord.  Christ  urgeth  us  to  it,  and  brings  ourselves 
for  example.  "  "What  man  is  there  among  you,  who 
if  his  son  ask  bread,  or  a  fish,  will  he  give  him  a 
stone,  or  a  serpent  ?  "  Surely  no :  no  father  would 
deal  thus  with  his  child;  but  when  his  child  is  hungry, 
and  asks  bread,  he  gives  it  to  him :  so  when  the  Al- 
mighty sees  our  hunger,  and  we  tenderly  seek  divine 
assistance  and  refreshment  from  him,  he,  in  his  own 
time,  satisfies  such  souls  with  bread  from  above,  and 
the  thirsty  with  living  water  out  of  the  wells  of  salva- 
tion.    Oh !  blessed  be  his  holy  name  for  evermore. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  501 

Evil  men  know  how  to  give  good  things  to  their 
children,  therefore  we  may  well  conclude  that  our 
heavenly  Father  knows  how  to  give  with  much  more 
discretion  and  understanding  the  good  things  of  his 
kingdom,  to  true  asking,  seeking,  knocking,  or  pray- 
ing souls. 

"Therefore  all  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that 
men  should  do  unto  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them ;  for 
this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets." 

"Well  may  this  be  called  the  golden  rule ;  for  if  we 
square  our  lives  and  actions  by  it,  it  will  certainly 
mete  us  out  the  true  way  to  happiness  and  glory. 
We  are  generally  apt  to  say,  when  any  one  doth  ill 
to  another,  "  Would  he  be  willing  to  be  served  so 
himself?"  And  if  we  follow  this  rule  in  all  our 
concerns,  it  will  be  well ;  whether  in  relation  to  public 
or  private  business ;  whether  in  trade  or  religion,  or 
in  our  domestic  affairs  :  the  law  and  the  prophets 
point  at  it,  and  our  Saviour  plainly  lays  it  down  as  a 
rule  for  us  to  walk  by. 

"  Enter  ye  in  at  the  strait  gate ;  for  wide  is  the 
gate,  and  broad  is  the  way  that  leadeth  to  destruction, 
and  many  there  be  who  go  in  thereat. 

"  Because  strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way 
that  leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be  who  find  it." 

It  is  afflicting  to  consider  how  natural  it  is  for 
people  to  walk  in  this  broad  way,  and  they  who  walk 
in  it  are  many ;  for  here  is  room  for  people  to  walk 
if  they  are  proud,  whoremongers,  adulterers,  thieves, 
swearers,  liars,  drunkards,  covetous,  or  in  any  other 


502  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

evil  course  of  life ;  but  let  them  know,  it  leadeth  to 
destruction,  and  the  end  is  eternal  misery,  and  their 
many  companions  will  administer  no  consolation  to 
them,  when  they  lift  up  their  eyes  in  hell.  And 
whereas  the  way  that  leads  to  life  is  called  strait,  it 
is  only  strait  to  flesh  and  blood,  or  the  will  of  unre- 
generate  man.  Oh  !  it  is  a  pleasant  way,  exceedingly 
pleasant,  when  brethren  walk  together  in  love  and 
unity.  The  enemy  of  mankind  would  persuade  souls, 
that  it  is  narrower  than  it  really  is,  when  they  have 
some  faint  inclinations  to  make  trial  of  it.  It  may 
truly  be  said,  "  Blessed  are  the  undefiled  in  this  way, 
who  walk  in  the  law  of  the  Lord : "  for,  "  His  ways  are 
ways  of  pleasantness,  and  all  his  paths  are  peace." 
And  although  the  way  to  the  kingdom  is  strait  and 
narrow,  yet  there  are  hills  and  valleys  therein  as  well 
as  plains,  until  we  get  through  the  gate  to  glory : 
there  shall  we  know  no  more  sorrow  nor  pain,  but 
shall  praise  and  glorify  God  and  the  Lamb  forever. 

"  Beware  of  false  prophets,  who  come  to  you  in 
sheep's  clothing;  but  inwardly  they  are  ravening 
wolves. 

"  Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits.  Do  men 
gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles? 

"  Even  so  every  good  tree  bringeth  forth  good 
fruit;  but  a  corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil  fruit. 

"  A  good  tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil  fruit,  neither 
can  a  corrupt  tree  bring  forth  good  fruit. 

"  Every  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is 
hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire. 


THOMAS  CHALKLEY.,  503 

"  Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them." 
The  great  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  souls,  shows  the 
care  which  he  takes  of  his  sheep,  and  forewarns  them 
to  be  careful  of  false  prophets  and  deceivers ;  who, 
though  they  may  clothe  themselves  with  words  like 
the  true  ones,  yet  inwardly  they  would  destroy  all 
who  do  not  join  with  them,  or  receive  them;  and 
they  are  for  biting  the  poor  harmless  sheep  of  Christ, 
and  if  they  could,  or  it  were  in  their  power,  would 
devour  them,  their  minds  being  in  the  ravening  na- 
ture. But  our  holy  and  all-wise  Bishop,  that  we  might 
be  preserved  from  them,  tells  us  how  we  may  infallibly 
know  them;  saying,  "Ye  shall  know  them  by  their 
fruits.  Do  men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of 
thistles  ?  "  says  Christ :  Surely  no.  That  is  altogether 
unnatural,  as  well  as  unreasonable  and  impossible. 
In  the  grape  there  is  a  sweet  and  pleasant  nourish- 
ment, those  fruits  being  cordial  and  wholesome ;  but 
it  is  bad  meddling  with  thistles  and  thorns,  they  being 
generally  very  unprofitable  to  mankind,  and  hurt  the 
good  seed  wherever  they  grow  among  it.  "Well,  where 
must  we  go  for  the  grapes  and  the  figs  ?  To  be  sure 
we  must  go  to  the  vine,  and  the  fig-tree :  Christ  is 
this  vine,  and  his  people  are  the  branches,  who  bring 
forth  such  fruit,  according  to  the  divine  life  or  sap 
which  they  receive,  as  he  taught,  and  teaches  to  his 
followers.  So  that  if  men's  words  be  like  the  words 
of  angels,  if  they  have  never  so  great  parts  and  en- 
dowments, yet  if  their  fruit  be  evil,  if  they  live  in 
sin  and  do  iniquity,  and  bring  forth  the  fruits  of 


504  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

malice  and  rage,  or  devouring  persecution,  they  then 
are  none  of  Christ's  sheep,  though  they  may  have 
their  clothing  :  "  For  every  good  tree  bringeth  forth 
good  fruit;  and  a  corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil 
fruit."     So  if  the  fruit  be  evil,  the  tree  is  certainly 

corrupt. 

Our  Lord  elsewhere  saith,  "  Make  the  tree  good, 
and  the  fruit  will  be  good  also:"  and  to  be  made 
truly  good,  since  we  are  all  corrupt  by  nature,  and 
in  the  fall,  we  must  be  cut  off  from  that  nature,  and 
grafted  into  Christ,  who  said,  "  I  am  the  vine,  and  ye 
are  the  branches  ; "  and  then  our  lives  and  fruits  will 
be  changed.  "  A  good  tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil 
fruit,  nor  can  a  corrupt  tree  bring  forth  good  fruit : 
and  every  tree  that  bringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is 
hewn  down  and  cast  into  the  fire."  That  axe  which 
John  speaks  of,  will  be  laid  to  the  roots  of  the  corrupt 
trees,  and  will  hew  them  down,  and  they  will  be  cast 
into  the  fire,  as  Christ  speaks.  It  is  not  destroying 
the  bodies  of  men  that  Christ  speaks  of,  but  an  inward 
work  in  the  soul,  showing  the  powerful  nature  of  the 
dispensation  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  which  is  not 
material  cutting,  or  burning  with  material  fire,  or 
sword :  but  Christ's  word  is  a  fire  and  sword  to  cut 
down  and  burn  up  the  evil  nature  in  man.  The 
apostle  confirms  this  doctrine  of  his  Master  thus, 
"  He  that  doth  righteousness  is  righteous,  but  he 
that  sinneth  is  of  the  devil."  The  apostle  is  plain 
and  full,  as  is  Christ,  who  repeats  his  doctrine  over 
again,  with,  "  Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye  shall  know 
them." 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  505 

"  Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me,  Lord !  Lord ! 
shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  but  he  that 
doeth  the  will  of  my  Father  who  is  in  heaven." 

It  is  not  our  profession  that  will  give  us  admittance 
into  heaven,  or  a  name  of  religion,  or  religious  per- 
formances, if  we  love  sin  and  unrighteousness  \  nor  is 
it  our  praying,  preaching,  hearing,  reading,  or  dis- 
coursing of,  or  arguing  for  Christ,  if  we  do  the  works 
of  Satan;  for  there  are  many  who  may  go  further 
than  this,  and  .yet  not  have  admittance  into  the  king- 
dom of  God  and  our  blessed  Lord  Jesus,  as  is  plainly 
manifest  in  the  next  verse. 

"  Many  will  say  unto  me  in  that  day,  Lord,  Lord, 
have  we  not  prophesied  in  thy  name,  and  in  thy  name 
have  cast  out  devils,  and  in  thy  name  have  done 
many  wonderful  works. 

"  And  then  I  will  profess  to  them,  I  know  ye  not ; 
depart  from  me,  ye  workers  of  iniquity." 

So  that  professing  Christ's  own  name,  and  pro- 
phesying therein,  without  working  the  works  of  God, 
will  not  do.  Nay,  though  they  may  cast  out  devils, 
which  indeed  is  a  great  work. 

Christ  speaks  about  the  strong  man  armed,  who 
kept  the  house  till  a  stronger  than  he  came;  who, 
when  he  came,  spoiled  his  goods  and  dispossessed  him, 
but  coming  again,  found  the  house,  or  heart,  swept 
and  garnished :  swept  from  many  immoralities,  and 
garnished  with  self-righteousness  and  carnal  security ; 
and  the  man  off  his  watch  and  not  at  home  with 
Christ,  who  is  stronger  than  Satan :  he  then  re-enters, 

43 


506  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  seven  worse  spirits  with  him.  So  that  we  had 
need  to  be  on  our  watch,  and  keep  near  to  Christ, 
lest  after  all  our  experience  and  wondrous  works, 
our  last  state  be  worse  than  our  beginning,  and  we 
be  shut  out  of  the  kingdom  in  the  end.  For  these 
say,  that  they  have  done  many  wonderful  works  in 
Christ's  name :  so  that  we  may  work  miraculous 
things,  and  be  sensible  of  wonderful  power  and 
strength  from  Christ ;  and  yet,  without  persevering  in 
the  way  of  holiness  and  self-denial,  may  fall  short  of 
heaven.  Wherefore  it  is  of  dangerous  consequence 
to  live  in  sin  and  iniquity;  or  to  lean  towards  it,  so 
as  to  plead  for  it,  or  believe  we  cannot  live  without 
it  while  in  this  world.  For  if  we  live  and  die  in  it, 
we  may  justly,  according  to  the  above  doctrine  of 
Christ,  expect  that  he  will  say  unto  us  in  the  great 
day,  "  Depart  from  me,  ye  that  work  iniquity." 

"  Therefore  whosoever  heareth  these  sayings  of 
mine,  and  doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him  unto  a  wise 
man  who  built  his  house  upon  a  rock. 

"And  the  rains  descended,  and  the  floods  came, 
and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house,  and  it 
fell  not;  for  it  was  founded  upon  a  rock." 

Oh !  what  excellent  sayings  and  doctrine,  what 
holy  precepts  has  Christ  here  recommended  to  the 
professors  of  his  name,  and  to  them  who  believe  in 
him  and  the  Almighty  Father  and  maker  of  heaven 
and  earth.  Surely  we  are  greatly  beholden  to  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  for  those  divine  sayings.  But  to 
commend  them  or  to  read  them,  or  hear  them  only, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  507 

is  doing  but  little;  the  keeping  and  the  doing  of  them 
is  the  main  thing,  the  thing  that  is  needful;  and  to 
press  the  practice  of  them,  Jesus  has  made  this  apt 
comparison. 

First;  "He  who  hears  them,  and  doeth  them,  I 
will  liken  him  unto  a  wise  man."  And  indeed  it  is 
great  wisdom  to  keep  them,  that  is,  to  practise  them, 
and  as  great  folly  to  live  contrary  to  them  and  plead 
against  them.  • 

Second ;  "  Who  built  his  house  upon  a  rock."  This 
rock  is  Christ,  the  rock  of  ages,  and  his  Holy  Spirit, 
or  the  Holy  Ghost,  as  Christ  said  to  Peter,  when 
Christ  was  revealed  to  him  :  "  Flesh  and  blood  hath 
not  revealed  this  unto  thee,  but  my  Father  who  is  in 
heaven  : "  "  Thou  art  Peter,"  or  a  stone  or  rock :  thou 
art  a  man,  though  thy  name  signifies  a  rock,  and  as 
thy  name  signifies  a  rock,  so  "  On  this  rock  I  will 
build  my  church ;  the  gates  of  hell  cannot  prevail 
against  it."  Peter  was  one  who  heard  these  sayings 
and  did  them,  when  he  had  received  the  Holy  Ghost, 
or  Spirit;  for  which  every  true  believer  ought  to 
pray  continually,  until  he  receive  it ;  through  the  help 
of  which  he  may,  without  doubt,  keep  those  holy  say- 
ings. For  of  ourselves,  without  it,  we  cannot  do  any 
real  good,  either  in  speaking,  thinking,  or  acting. 

Third ;  "  And  the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods 
came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  the  house, 
and  it  fell  not ;  because  it  was  founded  upon  a  rock." 

If  rain  from  above  be  poured  out  in  wrath  on  man, 
for  sin  and  iniquity,  and  floods  of  persecution,  or  the 


508  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

windy  words  of  men  come  upon  this  house,  it  will 
stand :  if  sickness  and  death  itself,  and  many  other 
storms,  that  we  may  meet  with  in  this  world,  should 
beat  against  our  building,  we  being  built  upon  the 
Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,  shall  surely  stand  them 
all,  and  live  through  all,  if  we  hear  or  read  Christ's 
sayings,  and  practise  the  same ;  we  are  on  the  rock, 
and  shall  not  fall  for  that  reason. 

"  And  every  one  who  heareth  these  sayings  of 
mine,  and  doeth  them  not,  shall  be  likened  unto  a 
foolish  man,  who  built  his  house  upon  the  sand. 

"And  the  rains  descended,  and  the  floods  came, 
and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house,  and  it 
fell ;  and  great  was  the  fall  of  it." 

If  we  read  or  hear  these  sayings,  or  doctrine  of 
Christ,  and  do  not  dwell  in  the  life  of  it,  nor  practise 
the  same,  it  were  better  we  knew  it  not.  For  our 
Saviour  saith,  "  He  who  knoweth  his  master's  will, 
and  doeth  it  not,  shall  be  beaten  with  many  stripes." 
It  is  great  folly  to  be  sensible  of  Christ's  holy  will 
and  doctrine,  and  not  to  do  it :  if  we  profess  Chris- 
tianity, and  build  our  profession  on  Christ,  and  yet 
do  not  observe  to  keep  his  sayings,  the  foundation  of 
our  building  will  be  very  loose  and  sandy :  and  when 
those  rains,  and  floods,  and  winds,  which  Christ 
speaks  of,  shall  descend  and  beat  against  this  building, 
it  must  needs  fall,  and  the  higher  the  building  is,  tha 
greater  will  be  the  fall  of  it. 

Thus  ended  the  best  sermon  that  ever  was  preached ; 
in  which  is  set  forth  the  great  truths  of  God  and  our 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  509 

Lord  Jesus  Christ,  "with  blessings  and  rewards  to  the 
righteous,  and  holy  believers  in  him,  who  put  in 
practice  his  precepts;  and  reproof  to  the  disobedient 
and  unfaithful ;  with  promises  of  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  to  one,  and  to  the  other,  a  being  shut  out 
of  it. 

"  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Jesus  had  ended  these 
sayings,  that  the  people  were  astonished  at  his  doctrine. 

"  For  he  taught  them  as  one  having  authority,  and 
not  as  the  scribes." 

They  were  astonished  at  his  doctrine,  and  well  they 
might  be,  for  it  excelled  even  the  law,  and  went 
beyond  it,  as  when  he  tells  them,  it  was  said  of  old 
time,  or  in  the  law,  "  Thou  shalt  not  kill,"  he  taught 
that  we  must  not  be  angry  without  a  cause.  And 
whereas  the  law  gives  liberty  to  hate  our  enemies, 
he  charges  us  to  love  them,  and  pray  for  them,  and 
do  good  to  them ;  again  the  law  prohibits  adultery ; 
Christ  prohibits  lusts,  both  in  the  eye  and  in  the 
heart.  And  whereas  the  law  commanded  to  perform 
their  oaths  to  the  Lord,  Christ  commands  not  to 
swear  at  all.  Now  those  who  are  not  angry,  it  is  not 
likely  should  kill ;  those  who  love  their  enemies  can- 
not hate  or  destroy  them  ;  those  who  have  not  lusts 
in  their  hearts  or  eyes,  cannot  commit  adultery ;  and 
those  who  never  swear,  cannot  forswear  themselves : 
all  which  he  taught  with  divine  power  and  authority 
from  above.  He  was  not  dry  and  formal  like  the 
scribes :  so  likewise  his  ministers,  and  the  preachers 

of  his  gospel,  should  wait  on  him,  to  be  endued  with 
43* 


510  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

a  measure  of  his  divine  spirit  and  holy  grace,  that 
the  hearers  might  be  edified,  and  the  Father,  Son, 
and  Spirit,  might  have  the  glory,  who  over  all  is 
worthy  forever. 


Some  truly  tender  Scruples  of  Conscience,  about  that 
Form  of  Prayer  called  the  Common  Prayer,  as 
used  by  the  Members  of  the  Church  of  England. 

I  am  not  against  reading  the  holy  Scripture,  either 
privately  or  openly,  but  would  encourage  it  in  all 
Christians  and  true  believers  in  Christ :  and  we  ought 
to  excite  one  another  thereto,  and  more  especially  to 
put  in  practice  what  we  read  to  be  our  duty ;  other- 
wise the  holy  letter  will  kill,  as  said  the  apostle, 
which  is  to  be  understood  when  we  practise  contrary 
to  what  we  read  therein.  As  for  example,  where  our 
Lord  saith,  "  Every  idle  word  that  men  shall  speak, 
they  shall  give  account  thereof  in  the  day  of  judg- 
ment." Again,  "  God  will  not  hold  him  guiltless 
that  taketh  his  name  in  vain."  "That  servant  that 
knew  his  Lord's  will,  and  did  it  not,  shall  be  beaten 
with  many  stripes."  These,  and  many  more  portions 
of  holy  Scripture,  are  condemning  and  killing  to 
those  who  live  in  sin  and  evil,  which  the  letter  is 
absolutely  against,  and  without  true  repentance,  ac- 
companied with  amendment  of  life,  though  the  holy 
Bible  be  read  every  day,  it  will  but  add  to  our  con- 
demnation.    But  if  people  truly  repent  of  the  evil  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEf.  511 

their  ways,  and  awake  to  righteousness,  and  sin  not, 
as  the  holy  Scriptures  themselves  hold,  and  Christ 
taught,  then  unto  such  souls  they  are  as  a  rich 
treasure,  and  as  a  cabinet  full  of  precious  jewels,  able 
to  make  the  man  of  God  wise  unto  salvation,  through 
faith  in  Christ,  by  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
or  Spirit.  It  is  not  the  reading  divinely  inspired 
writings,  or  the  Bible,  which  is  scrupled,  but  the 
formal  reading  of  formal  composed  prayezs  and  songs, 
at  set  times,  instituted  by  such  whose  principle  is 
that  there  is  now  no  divine  revelation,  and  that  we 
cannot  live  without  sinning,  while  we  are  in  this 
world,  according  to  the  tenor  of  the  Common  Prayer  ; 
holding,  that  we  sin  as  long  as  we  live,  as  if  God's 
power  were  not  stronger  to  preserve  out  of  sin,  than 
the  devil's  to  keep  us  in  sin,  contrary  to  the  work 
and  doctrine  of  the  holy  apostles,  who  were  sent  of 
God  to  turn  people  from  Satan's  power  to  the  power 
of  God ;  whose  glorious,  eternal  power  is  above  the 
power  of  sin,  death,  and  the  devil. 

I  wish  to  write  a  few  words  concerning  some  un- 
so  ind  words,  and  also  some  Scripture  expressions 
perverted  to  a  wrong  use  in  the  Common  Prayer. 

First ;  As  to  that  expression  in  the  Common 
Prayer,  that  "We  are  miserable  sinners." 

Second ;  And  that  "  We  are  full  of  bruises  and 
putrefying  sores." 

Third ;  And  "  From  the  crown  of  the  head  to  the 
sole  of  the  foot  there  is  no  soundness  in  us." 

Fourth;    And   that   "We  have   left   undone   the 


512  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

things  which  we  ought  to  do,  and  do  those  thing! 
which  we  ought  not  to  do ; "  and  these  to  be  repeated 
for  life. 

First,  then,  If  people  must  be  miserable  sinners  all 
their  days,  to  what  end  did  Christ  come  into  the 
world  and  preach  the  gospel,  and  suffer  death,  the 
painful  death  of  the  cross  ?  Did  he  not  come  to  put 
an  end  to  sin,  and  to  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil, 
whose  works  are  sin  ?  Did  he  not  preach  against  sin, 
both  within  and  without?  Witness  the  fifth,  sixth, 
and  seventh  chapters  of  the  evangelist  Matthew. 
Yea,  his  birth,  life,  preaching,  suffering,  death  and 
resurrection,  and  ascension  into  glory,  were  all  against 
sin,  the  devil,  death  and  darkness,  and  all  the  works 
and  deeds  thereof.  Christ  died  for  our  sins,  and  we 
should  die  to  them,  and  live  to  him :  He  came  to  save 
us  from  the  act  of  sin,  as  well  as  the  imputation  of  it ; 
and  takes  away  the  guilt  of  sin  on  condition  of  true 
♦repentance  and  amendment  of  life,  as  the  doctrine  of 
Christ  and  his  apostles  largely  and  plainly  demon- 
strates, as  any  who  are  come  to  the  years  of  discre- 
tion, and  who  can  but  read  the  holy  Scriptures,  may 
plainly  discover. 

The  apostle  saith,  "  Whatsoever  things  are  holy, 
whatsoever  things  are  pure,  just,  and  of  good  report, 
seek  after  those  things."  And  again,  "  No  unclean 
thing  can  enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  "  but  cer- 
tainly all  sin  is  unclean.  Bead  over  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures, from  the  beginning  to  the  end,  their  nature  and 
tendency  is  against  all  sin ;    and  as  it  is  true  that  we 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  513 

all  have  been  sinners,  surely  therefore  all  true  Chris- 
tians and  true  believers  in  Christ  have  cause  rever- 
ently to  bow,  and  to  be  truly  and  humbly  thankful, 
that  Christ,  our  great  Lord,  by  offering  himself  for 
us,  hath  taken  away  that  imputation,  so  that  now, 
through  faith  and  belief  in  Christ,  accompanied  with 
true  repentance  and  amendment  of  life,  the  imputation 
of  our  former  sins  is  taken  away ;  for  this  cause  we 
praise  God  and  adore  his  eternal  majesty  forever. 

Second  ;  As  to  the  word  "  miserable,"  a  Christian 
may  indeed  be  poor ;  but  since  Christ  is  come  tc 
make  us  happy  and  comfortable,  through  the  hope  of 
eternal  salvation,  in  his  name  and  power,  as  we  are 
not  to  think  ourselves  better  than  we  are,  so  we  can- 
not aay  nor  think  we  are  miserable,  unless  we  are 
without  God  and  Christ ;  and  then  we  are  miserable 
indeed ;  but  no  mortal  can  be  miserable  who  hath 
Christ ;  "  For  he  that  hath  the  Son,  hath  life  (eternal 
life)  abiding  in  him."  To  be  truly  in  Christ,  is  to  be 
truly  happy ;  this  doctrine  is  as  clear  as  the  sun  at 
noonday,  or  as  a  morning  without  clouds.  When  the 
soul  comes  to  see  itself  undone  without  a  Saviour,  and 
sees  sin  to  be  exceeding  sinful,  and  is  ready  to  cry  to 
the  Almighty,  Lord,  help,  or  I  perish  !  save  me,  or  I 
am  undone  forever  !  then  it  seeth  itself  miserable ; 
but  it  is  for  want  of  Christ :  and  when  Christ  is  come 
into  the  soul,  then  its  misery  vanisheth,  or  flieth 
away.  But  from  day  to  day  and  week  to  week,  yea, 
all  the  days  of  one's  life,  to  be  miserable  sinners,  is  a 
miserable  case  indeed,  destroying  the  very  nature  of 


514  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Christianity :  wherefore  some  tender,  conscientious 
souls  cannot  join  with  such  miserable  sinners  and 
sayers,  who  neither  say  nor  do  that  which  they  ought. 

Third;  As  to  these  sayings,  "We  are  full  of  bruises 
and  putrefying  sores,  from  the  crown  of  the  head  to 
the  sole  of  the  foot,  and  there  is  no  soundness  in  us." 

If  a  congregation  of  such  people  as  these  say  truly, 
and  if  they  do  not  say  truly,  what  will  the  conse- 
quence be,  let  the  wise  in  heart  judge;  can  such*  a 
people  be  the  church  of  Christ,  or  his  spouse,  or 
beautiful  bride  ?  Christ  saith,  "  If  the  inside  be 
clean,  the  outside  will  be  clean  also ;  and  he  came  to 
cleanse  the  souls  of  poor  mortals,  and  to  heal  them, 
and  wash  them  from  sin,  and  he  doth  it  by  his  spir- 
itual baptism  and  the  fire  of  his  word.  The  above- 
said  church  and  people  do  both  "  Promise  and  vow 
that  they  will  forsake  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  the 
pomp  and  vanity  of  this  wicked  world,  and  all  the 
sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  walk  in  God's  holy  will 
and  commandments  all  the  days  of  their  lives,"  which 
is  the  very  highest  pitch  of  perfection  any  man  or 
Christian  can  attain  in  this  life ;  and  yet,  contrary  to 
those  vows  and  solemn  covenants,  they  tell  the  Al- 
mighty, from  time  to  time,  that  they  are  unsound, 
nay,  that  there  is  no  soundness  in  them ;  but  that 
they  are  putrefied  from  head  to  foot,  and  by  their 
common  practice  intend  to  tell  him  so  as  long  as  they 
live  in  this  life  :  this  is  unsound  work  indeed  :  and 
truly  those  who  are  tenderly  conscientious  may  well 
scruple  to  join  with  it,  or  with  those,  who  are  in  such 
ways,  words  and  works. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  515 

Those  bruised,  putrefied,  sore,  and  unsound  soula 
are  therefore  in  Christian  love  tenderly  advised  tc 
come  to  Christ,  the  physician  of  value,  and  great 
doctor  of  the  soul,  that  he  may  heal  them,  and  wash 
their  sinful  souls  and  unsound  hearts,  "By  the  wash- 
ing of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  his  word  and 
spirit."  "  Ye  are  clean  through  the  word  which  I 
have  spoken  unto  you,"  saith  our  Saviour.  They 
were  cleansed  by  putting  his  word  in  practice  ;  for, 
eaith  Christ,  "  He  that  heareth  these  sayings  of  mine 
and  doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him  to  a  wise  man ;  " 
so,  consequently,  he  that  doeth  them  not  is  foolish, 
sinful,  and  unclean. 

Fourth ;  And  further,  say  they,  "  We  have  left 
undone  those  things  which  we  ought  to  have  done." 
Doing  the  truth  and  that  which  is  right,  is  what  we 
ought  to  do ;  and  committing  sin  is  that  which  we 
ought  not  to  do  :  certainly  any  man  would  think  it 
mockery  if  his  children  or  servants  should  serve  him 
so  from  time  to  time,  and  make  a  common  practice 
of  it.  By  this  confession,  if  it  be  genuine,  it  appears 
they  must  needs  know  better  than  they  practise,  they 
knowing  what  they  ought  to  do,  but  not  doing  it; 
and  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  saith  positively,  "  He  that 
knoweth  his  master's  will  and  doeth  it  not,  shall  be 
beaten  with  many'stripes ;  "  and  again,  "  Be  ye  not 
like  the  scribes  and  pharisees ;  for  they  say,  and  do 
not ;  therefore  be  ye  not  like  unto  them." 

But  what  can  be  expected  from  those  who  say  they 
sin  in  their  best  duties  ?     If  so,  they  sin  whenever 


516  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

they  read  the  common  prayers  ;  and  by  the  same 
rule,  the  oftener  they  read  them,  the  oftener  they 
sin  ;  wherefore,  how  can  a  sincere,  devout  soul,  who 
unfeignedly  loves  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  so  as  to 
keep  his  commandments,  —  for  that  is  to  love  him 
truly,  and  according  to  his  own  definition  of  it,  "  If 
ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments,"  saith  Christ, — 
I  say,  how  can  any  such  sincere  soul  join  with  such 
wrong-doers  and  sayers  ?  It  must  needs  be  an  unsafe 
practice  to  do  what  we  know  should  not  be  done,  the 
•nature  of  such  doings  being  provoking  either  to  God 
or  man :  what  man  in  the  world  would  like  it,  in 
either  son  or  servant  ? 

Oh !  what  would  become  of  poor,  degenerate  man, 
if  the  Lord  Almighty  were  not  very  indulgent,  if  he 
were  not  a  God  gracious  and  merciful,  slow  to  anger, 
and  of  great  loving-kindness  to  poor  mortals  ! 

Fifth ;  And  as  to  their  singing  David's  psalms  in 
metre,  how  often  do  they  sing  that  which  is  not  true 
as  to  themselves,  and  also  that  which  is  not  according, 
but  contrary  to  their  states  and  conditions  ?  As  when 
they  sing,  "  That  they  water  their  couch  with  their 
tears,"  and  that  "  they  practise  what  they  know  ;  " 
when  they  confess  they  "  Do  that  which  they  ought 
not  to  do,  and  leave  undone  that  which  they  ought 
to  do." 

The  apostle  said  he  would  "  Sing  with  the  spirit, 
and  with  the  understanding  also."  And  again,  "We 
know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought,  but 
the  Spirit  itself  maketh   intercession   for   us,    with 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  517 

groanings  which  cannot  be  uttered."  In  the  primi- 
tive times  of  Christianity  they  prayed  and  sung  as 
they  were  helped  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  or  Spirit,  and 
not  by  book,  or  stinted  or  set  forms ;  but,  oh !  the 
primitive  soundness  of  Christianity  is  too  much  lost 
and  defaced ;  and  therefore  some  who  desire  to  come 
again  to  the  primitive  soundness  and  purity  of  the 
Christian  religion,  scruple  to  join  with  such  unsound 
formalities,  and  that  conscientiously,  for  the  reasons 
above,  and  more  which  might  be  given. 

When  such  scruples  are  mentioned,  the  members 
of  the  Church  of  England  usually  reply,  that  the 
Scriptures  vindicate  them  'in  their  form,  which,  how 
well  they  do  so,  let  it  be  freely  and  fairly  examined, 
not  for  contention,  but  for  edification  in  the  pure 
love  of  Jesus. 

First;  "The  Scripture  saith,  that  there  was  a 
people  that  was  full  of  bruises  and  putrefying  sores," 
etc. 

Answer.  But  that  was  in  the  time  of  the  law, 
when  the  people  had  transgressed  the  law,  and  were 
under  the  law;  for  had  they  done  their  duty,  and 
kept  the  law,  they  could  not  truly  have  said  so.  They 
were  then  indeed  gone  astray  like  the  lost  sheep,  and 
that  brought  them  into  that  sore,  putrefied  state  and 
bruised  condition,  and  "  Their  law  did  not  make  the 
comers  thereunto  perfect;  yet,  as  saith  the  apostle, 
the  bringing  in  of  a  better  hqpe  did,"  which  was  the 
hope  of  the  gospel.  The  apostle  preaches  perfection 
under  the  gospel  dispensation,  though  some  of  our 
44 


618  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

worldly-wise  men  will  not  allow  of  it-;  and  I  hope  wo 
are  not  under  the  law,  but  under  grace ;  the  law  of 
the  spirit  of  life,  in  Christ  Jesus,  doth  set  the  true 
believers  free  from  the  law  of  sin  and  death ;  so  that 
a  true  Christian  cannot  say  truly,  with  the  false  and 
rebellious  Jews,  of  whom  the  prophet  there  speaks, 
"  That  he  is  full  of  putrefying  sores,  and  that  there 
is  no  soundness  in  him,  and  say  it  all  the  days  of  his 
life." 

Second ;  Again  the  Scripture  saith,  "  I  was  shapen 
in  iniquity,  and  in  sin  did  my  mother  conceive  me." 

Answer.  The  psalmist  was  at  that  time  under 
deep  convictions  for  the  sins  he  had  been  guilty  of  in 
the  matter  of  Uriah ;  but  by  his  expressions  in  the 
ninth,  tenth,  and  eleventh  verses  of  the  same  psalm, 
it  is  plain  he  believed  a  better  state  attainable.  And 
surely  these  expressions  cannot  be  applicable  to  all 
men,  at  all  times.  No,  surely,  if  we  believe  Christ 
and  the  holy  Scriptures,  whose  doctrine  is  holy,  and 
commands  holiness,  in  both  Testaments.  And  if 
people  would  walk  in  the  holy  light  of  Christ,  who 
enlightens  every  man  that  cometh  into  the  world,  as 
recorded  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  they  would  then  be 
cleansed  from  their  sin,  from  both  the  act  and  the 
imputation,  as  saith  the  apostle  :  "  If  we  walk  in  the 
light,  as  he  is  in  the  light,  then  have  we  fellowship 
one  with  another,  and  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ,  his 
Son,  cleanseth  us  from  all  sin." 

Third;  -''There  is  none  that  doth  good,  no,  aot  one." 

Answer.  It  is  beyond  all  doubt  the  apostle  spoke  of 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  5.19 

the  people  in  their  unconverted  state ;  for  if  they  had 
been  come  to  the  work  of  conversion  and  regeneration, 
they  must,  and  it  is  impossible  but  that  they  should 
do  some  good;  and  though  there  was  a  time  that  none 
did  good,  it  was  under  the  law,  and  not  under  grace ; 
and  spoken  of  the  unbelievers,  and  not  of  believers : 
especially  since  Christ  has  brought  a  covenant  of 
grace,  in  order  to  teach  and  help  us  to  live  righteous, 
virtuous,  holy,  religious,  and  sober  lives  and  conver- 
sations. 

Fourth ;  They  object  the  words  of  our  Saviour  to 
the  young  man  in  the  gospel,  where  he  calls  Christ 
good  master,  asking  him,  "  What  good  thing  shall  I 
do  that  I  may  have  eternal  life?"  Christ  answered, 
"  Why  callest  thou  me  good  ?  There  is  none  good 
but  one,  that  is  God." 

Answer.  And  true  it  is,  in  our  Lord's  sense,  fdr 
comparing  men  to  Christ,  who  is  God,  there  is  none 
good ;  the  young  man  thought  he  had  been  speaking 
to  a  man  like  himself,  and  knew  not  that  he  was 
speaking  to  the  good  and  gracious  Son  of  the  most 
high  God.  But  if  we  compare  men  with  men,  it  must 
be  granted  that  there  are  some  good  men,  women,  and 
children,  in  that  sense;  and  our  Lord  showethjiow 
we  may  know  these  good  men,  women,  and  children. 
"  By  their  fruits  ye  shall  know  them ;  men  do  not 
gather  grapes  of  thorns,  nor  figs  of  thistles :  a  good 
tree  cannot  bring  forth  evil  fruit,  neither  can  an  evil 
tree  bring  forth  good  fruit;  wherefore  by  their  fruits 
ye  fhall  know  them."     How  plain  is  the  doctrine  of 


520  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Christ,  if  people  would  but  lend  an  obedient  ear,  and 
give  him  a  faithful  and  sincere  heart,  and  serve  him 
in  a  pure  mind,  without  deceit  or  guile,  taking  up  his 
holy  cross  to  the  corrupt  will  of  man,  in  true  self- 
denial.  The  Scripture  says,  "  If  we  confess  our  sins, 
he  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to 
cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteousness : "  where  then  is 
the  sin,  when  God  has  cleansed  us  from  all  unright- 
eousness ?  Indeed  it  is  very  meet  an4  our  duty  to 
confess  our  sins ;  they  truly  say,  that, 

Fifth  ;  "  The  Scripture  in  sundry  places  excites  us 
to  confess  our  sins." 

Answer.  For  poor  mortals  have  all  sinned,  and  by 
this  sinful  nature  we  are  all  children  of  wrath,  and 
this  is  a  strong  and  mighty  motive  for  us  in  truth  to 
confess  our  sins,  because  God  is  so  just  and  merciful 
to  forgive  and  pass  by  our  iniquities ;  and  indeed  if 
the  weight  of  our  sins  were  upon  us,  and  the  true 
sense  of  the  heinousness  of  sin  and  evil,  it  would 
certainly  bow  us  in  deep  reverence  and  humility 
before  the  throne  of  grace,  and  melt  our  spirits  into 
tenderness  before  the  Most  High.  Then  it  is  that  he 
forgives  us,  and  cleanseth  us  from  all  iniquity,  and 
wouid,  according  to  the  apostle's  doctrine,  "  Purify  us 
to  himself  a  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good  works," 
and  against  bad  works  and  words,  and  thoughts  also : 
and  when  God  hath  so  cleansed  the  soul,  then,  of 
course,  these  common,  and  often  repeated,  dry  con- 
fessions, full  of  sin  and  putrefaction,  must  fall,  and 
we  should  fear  to  offend  any  more.     Let  it  be  ten- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  521 

derly,  and  in  Christian  love,  asked,  how  often  do  our 
Common-Prayer  people  go  into  their  closets,  or  pri- 
vately retire  into  some  secret  place,  and  there  pour 
out  their  cries  and  tears  to  the  Almighty,  and  humbly 
confess  their  faults  to  him  alone  ?  I  ask,  would  not 
such  an  exercise  be  more  acceptable  to  God,  than  a 
popular  repetition,  daily  and  formally  made?  This 
I  leave  to  the  consideration  of  all  sober  Christians, 
and  to  the  judgment  of  the  truly  pious.  And  how 
like  mockery  it  looks,  that  as  soon  as  they  come  from 
their  prayers  and  confessions,  many  of  them  will 
vainly  laugh,  and  be  full  of  idle  words  and  discourse, 
and  some  of  them  curse  and  swear,  and  take  the 
awful  and  sacred  name  which  they  have  been  address- 
ing, or  pretending  to  address,  in  vain,  and  profane  * 
that  holy  name  of  God  and  Christ,  which  they  have 
been  using  in  their  devotion.  To  this  I  have  been 
an  eye-  and  ear-witness,  many  a  time,  to  the  sorrow 
and  grief  of  my  soul,  and  which  hath,  in  part,  occa- 
sioned these  lines ;  also  hoping  it  may  be  a  motive  to 
stir  up  some  to  more  holy  living,  and  that  the  name 
of  God  and  Christ  might  be  glorified,  and  the  precious 
dear-bought  soul  saved.  Let  us  also  remember  that 
the  holy  Scripture  doth  abundantly  require  and  com- 
mand us  to  forsake  our  sins ;  the  text  says,  "  He  that 
confesseth  and  forsaketh  his  sins,  shall  have  mercy." 

Sixth ;  And  whereas  the  apostle  John,  in  his  first 
general  epistle,  writes,  "  If  we  say  we  have  no  sin, 
we  deceive  ourselves;"  from  whence  it  is  objected, 
we  ought  always  to  confess  our  sins. 
44* 


522  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Answer.  Yes,  we  should  do  so  whenever  we  commit 
any,  or  knowingly  do  evil ;  but  when  the  Almighty 
hath  cleansed  us  from  all  unrighteousness,  then  our 
sins  are  done  away  by  the  grace  of  his  Son,  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  we  are  washed  by  regeneration ; 
then  it  cannot  be  true  to  say  we  are  miserable  and 
putrefied  sinners,  when  at  the  same  time  also  Christ 
hath  purified  and  sanctified  his  church  and  people. 

That  is  true  which  St.  John  saith,  when  opening 
and  explaining  the  eighth  verse,  "  If  we  say  we  have- 
not  sinned,  we  make  him  (i.e.,  God)  a  liar;"  for  all 
have  sinned !  So  it  is  plain  that  he  speaks  of  the 
state  of  man  before  he  comes  to  the  work  of  conver- 
sion, or  to  be  renewed  by  grace;  for  when  we  come 
truly  to  know  Christ,  and  to  see  and  believe  in  him, 
we  witness  a  change  from  our  corrupt  and  evil  nature, 
and  sinful  course  of  life,  which  is  clear,  from  the  same 
apostle's  words,  which  I  shall  transcribe  for  the  infor- 
mation and  edification  of  any  who  may  see  this. 

The  first  general  epistle  of  John,  the  beloved  disciple 
of  our  Lord,  says,  "  Whosoever  abideth  in  him  (i.  e.f 
Christ),  sinneth  not :  whosoever  sinneth,  hath  not  seen 
him,  neither  known  him.  Little  children,  let  no  man 
deceive  you:  he  who  doeth  righteousness,  is  righteous, 
even  as  He  is  righteous  :  he  who  committeth  sin,  is  of 
the  devil;  for  the  devil  sinneth  from  the  beginning. 
For  this  purpose  the  Son  of  God  was  manifested,  that 
he  might  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil.  Whosoever 
Is  born  of  God,  doth  not  commit  sin;  for  his  seed 
remaineth  in  him,  and  he  cannot  sin,  because  he  ia 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  523 

born  of  God.  In  this  the  children  of  God  are  mani- 
fest, and  the  children  of  the  devil ;  whosoever  doeth 
not  righteousness,  is  not  of  God ;  "  and  as  above,  "  he 
who  committeth  sin,  is  of  the  devil." 

This  is  naked  truth,  without  any  covering,  and  the 
very  sum  and  substance  of  pure  religion.  Oh !  that 
all  true  Christians  would  lay  it  to  heart,  and  ponder 
it  in  their  minds,  and  then  resolve  whether  they  wil. 
be  sinners  to  the  end  of  their  days,  or  whether  they 
will  repent,  and  turn  from  the  evil  of  their  ways ;  the 
latter  of  which,  that  poor  mortals  may  come  to  witness 
for  themselves,  is  the  desire  and  prayer  of  my  soul. 

If  it  be  further  objected,  "  That  our  Saviour  taught 
his  disciples  a  form ; "  he  did  so ;  and  a  glorious  form 
it  is ;  and  they  did  as  they  prayed,  and  were  taught 
of  Christ,  arid  so  they  did  it  truly,  and  in  true  faith, 
believing  they  should  witness  what  they  said  and 
prayed  to  be  fulfilled.  "  Our  Father  who  art  in 
heaven,  hallowed  be  thy  name,  thy  kingdom  come. 
Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven.  Give 
us  this  day  our  daily  bread,  and  forgive  us  our  tres- 
passes, as  we  forgive  them  who  trespass  against  us. 
And  lead  us  not  into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from 
evil :  for  thine  is  the  kingdom,  and  the  power,  and 
the  glory,  forever.     Amen." 

Christ  said  to  some  of  old,  "  Ye  are  of  your  father 
the  devil,  because  his  works  ye  do."  And  all  sin  ia 
his  work,  and  by  our  works  we  are  manifest,  whether 
we  are  the  children  of  God  or  of  the  devil. 


524  •  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

A  Letter  to  a  Friend  in  Ireland,  containing  a  Rela- 
tion of  some  Sorrowful  Instances  of  the  Sad  Effects 
of  Intemperance,  as  a  Warning  to  Young  People. 


PREFACE. 

Temperate  Reader, — 

The  longer  we  live  in  the  world,  the  more  we  see 
the  danger  and  many  mischiefs,  miseries,  and  incon- 
veniences, intemperance  occasions  to  mankind,  not 
only  in  eating,  clothing,  buying  and  selling,  etc.,  but 
particularly  in  that  great  sin  of  drinking  to  excess. 
And  though  a  risk  is  run  of  incurring  the  displeasure 
of  some  ill-natured  over-lovers  of  strong  liquors,  the 
which  hath  been  experienced  by  the  author,  through 
some  of  the  former  impressions  ;  yet  they  having 
found  such  general  acceptance  in  many  parts  of  the 
world,  and  being  serviceable  to  people  of  all  per- 
suasions, for  the  further  service  of  poor  mortals,  I 
venture  to  put  forth  this  tenth  edition,  with  this 
additional  preface,  in  order,  if  possible,  to  persuade 
all  rational  souls  to  forsake  so  destructive  and  vile 
an  evil. 

First ;  Then,  in  the  aged  it  hath  these  bad  effects, 
viz. :  they  are  bad  examples  to  the  youth,  who,  when 
reproved,  may  reply,  My  father  before  me  loved  strong 
liquors,  as  well  as  I :  he  loved  a  glass  of  wine ;  he 
loved  a  bowl  of  punch ;  he  loved  good  cider  and  good 
ale,  and  wov.ld  be  merry  with  it,  and  why  may  not  I, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  525 

as  well  as  he  ?  He  was  a  wise,  good  man,  when  he 
was  sober ;  and  pray  where  is  the  harm  of  loving 
good  liquor,  and  being  merry  ? 

What  can  we  say  to  the  youth  of  such  parents  that 
will  avail,  while  their  parents  show  them  such  evil 
examples  ?  And  as  it  is  in  that,  so  it  is  in  all  other 
evils,  parents'  examples  are  very  hurtful  in  evil  things, 
though  very  helpful  in  that  which  is  good.  If  a  man 
sees  a  youth  to  be  out  of  order,  and  reproves  him  for 
being  in  drink,  evil  speaking,  pride,  covetousness,  etc., 
and  he  guilty  of  the  same,  his  child  may  answer,  Why, 
father,  I  had  not  done  so,  if  I  had  not  seen  thee,  or 
you,  do  it!  And  it  being  an  incumbent  duty  in  a 
father,  mother,  master,  or  mistress,  to  reprove  their 
youth  for  evil ;  if  we  are  not  clear  in  ourselves  of 
what  we  reprove  in  our  children  or  servants,  and  our 
children  or  servants  miscarry  through  our  bad  exam- 
ple, what  a  melancholy  reflection  will  that  be  to  us, 
if  rightly  considered !  which  indeed  would  be  this,  I 
have  been  instrumental  to  my  poor  child's  ruin  and 
destruction  !  A  melancholy  reflection  to  any  sober 
Christian. 

Also,  except  there  is  a  large  income,  instead  of 
taking  care  to  put  the  youth  in  a  reputable  way  to 
live  in  the  world,  it  brings  them  to  poverty ;  and  if 
there  is  a  large  estate,  it  puts  them  in  the  way  to 
-jpend  it.  And,  oh  !  how  many  are  spending  their 
precious  time  in  taverns  and  ordinaries,  and  at  the 
same  time  their  wives  and  children  suffering  and 
weeping  at  home?     And  some  sober,  modest  women 


526  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

would  suffer  unspeakable  hardships  before  they  would 
expose  their  husbands. 

Second;  Concerning  the  youth,  it  mightily  hurts 
them,  as  it  doth  the  aged  also,  as  to  their  religion, 
reputation,  health,  and  estate,  etc. 

First;  As  to  their  religion,  it  not  only  clouds  their 
understanding,  and  darkens  the  nobility  thereof,  but 
it  unfits  them  for  all  and  every  religious  duty. 

Second ;  Some  who  value  a  good  name,  had  rather 
lose  their  lives,  than  lose  their  reputation  through 
immoderate  drinking.  For  if  the  youth  be  single, 
and  addicted  to  immoderate  drinking,  no  wise  and 
virtuous  person  will  tie  themselves  to  them  for  life, 
by  marriage;  which  state  of  life,  to  a  wise  and  vir- 
tuous pair,  is  iar  exceeding  in  happiness  all  other 
company  or  conversation  whatsoever.  It  is  better  to 
be  one  of  these  than  to  enjoy  a  kingdom :  and  on  the 
other  hand,  it  is  better  to  be  a  slave  than  to  be  mar- 
ried to  an  intemperate  person. 

Third ;  Intemperance  destroys  the  health  of  the 
body,  which  we  generally  esteem  before  wealth.  And 
if  a  man  were  a  king,  prince,  or  duke,  if  he  did  not 
enjoy  his  health,  what  good  would  all  his  honor, 
power,  and  wealth  do  him?  Oh!  what  abundance 
of  young  people  have  destroyed  themselves  by  this 
sin  ?  As  it  is  written  :  "  The  wicked  do  not  live  out 
half  their  days : "  and  where  this  sin  is  growing  gen- 
eral in  a  country,  that  country  is  growing  to  its  ruin 
and  destruction.  It  wastes  the  people,  decays  trade, 
and  is  very  destructive  to  religion,  and  an  inlet  to 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  527 

Atheism.  Good  people  are  afraid  to  live  in  such  a 
country ;  bad  people  flock  to  it,  and  often  make  their 
exit  in  it. 

Fourth ;  And  many  a  fair  estate  has  been  embezzled 
and  spent  through  intemperance,  which  honest  par- 
ents, with  great  labor,  care,  and  industry,  have  got 
together,  and  left  to  their  sons  and  daughters,  who 
have  extravagantly  spent  it  upon  their  lusts ;  and 
thereby  have  brought  infamy  on  themselves,  their 
fathers,  and  their  posterity,  whenever  it  has  pleased 
God  that  they  have  left  any  behind  them;  besides, 
which  is  worst  of  all,  dishonoring  God,  and  bringing 
a  scandal  on  the  Christian  religion. 

Some  of  our  wise  kings  and  queens  in  Great 
Britain,  being  sorrowfully  affected  with  the  heinous- 
ness  of  this  great  sin,  have  made  strict  laws  against 
intemperance:  and  where  the  legislative  authority 
makes  little  or  no  provision  against  it,  or  when  they 
do  make  any,  do  not  take  care  to  put  it  in  practice, 
such  a  state  or  colony  must  needs  be  in  a  declining 
condition.  And  for  particular  families  and  persons, 
we  may  see  too  much  of  this  evil  in  our  neighbor- 
hoods, almost  in  all  parts  of  the  world,  which  causes 
sober  and  truly  religious  Christians  to  mourn,  and 
humbly  to  bow  before  the  most  high  God,  begging  of 
him,  for  Christ's  sake,  that  he,  by  his  mighty  power, 
would  be  pleased  to  reform  the  unregenerate  world. 

This  is  the  prayer  and  fervent  desire  of  an  entire 
lover  of  mankind,  both  body  and  soul,  and  who  desires 
their  welfare  in  this,  and  in  the  world  to  come. 

Thomas  Chalkley. 


528  THE    JOURNAL    OF 


Barbadoes,  1th  of  First  month,  1718-19. 

My  dear  Friend,  — 

It  is  long  since  I  had  a  line  from  thee:  but  not 
long  since  I  thought  of  thee  and  thine,  with  Friends 
of  your  nation  ;  where  I  know  that  the  Lord  hath  a 
seed,  who  love  him,  and  desire  to  serve  him,  and  are 
accounted  to  him  for  a  chosen  generation ;  and  that 
this  generation  may  spread  and  prosper  in  the  earth, 
is  at  times  my  earnest  travail  in  spirit  both  night 
and  day.  There  is  also  an  exercise  upon  my  mind 
for  the  offspring  of  this  seed,  the  children  of  those 
men  and  women  who  have  confessed  the  name  of 
Christ  before  men,  in  a  holy,  self-denying  life  and 
sober  conversation ;  and  I  do  certainly  know,  that 
many  pious  souls  join  with  me  in  this  exercise,  bow- 
ing the  knee  to  the  Lord  of  Sabbaths,  for  the  peace, 
prosperity,  and  eternal  welfare  of  the  present  rising 
generation.  Oh  !  how  exercising  it  is  to  good  men 
and  women  to  see  their  youth  take  those  ways  which 
lead  to  destruction,  and  go  in  company  with  the 
wicked,  whose  ways  lead  to  the  utter  ruining  of  both 
body  and  soul,  and  whose  steps  take  hold  on  hell. 

A  great  evil,  to  which  many  are  prone,  is  keeping 
vain  and  idle  company,  which  has  brought  many 
young  men  and  young  women  to  their  utter  ruin 
and  destruction,  both  body  and  soul.  How  many 
fair  estates  have  been  wasted !  How  many  fine 
youths  have  been  destroyed  by  keeping  evil  com- 
pany, and  by  excess  in  drinking,  it  is  really  lamen- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  529 

table  to  consider !  It  keeps  the  poor  in  poverty :  it 
makes  the  rich  many  times  poor;  and  brings  both 
rich  and  poor  into  disgrace :  it  breaks  and  destroys 
the  health  and  natural  good  constitution  of  the  body, 
and  instead  thereof  fills  it  with  misery  and  pain  : 
and  which  is  yet  more,  it  destroys  the  soul,  which  is 
the  most  noble  part  of  man  :  so  that  it  is  a  sore  and 
threefold  evil;  but  the  last  is  the  worst,  by  how 
much  the  soul  is  the  more  lasting  and  better  part. 
Several  terrible  instances  of  this  nature  I  have  met 
with  in  my  travels  among  the  children  of  men ;  three 
or  four  of  which  I  may  inform  thee  of;  and  it  may 
be  affecting  to  thee,  as  it  hath  often  been  to  my  mind, 
when  I  have  thought  thereon. 


The  First  Instance  of  a   Young  Man  given  to  111 
Company  and  Hard  Drinking. 

The  first  is  of  a  certain  young  man,  a  physician 
by  profession,  who  was  much  addicted  to  evil  com- 
pany, and  to  drink  hard,  and  was  sometimes  visited 
with  strong  convictions ;  in  one  of  which  visitations 
he  sent  for  me,  and  told  me  his  condition,  and  made 
solemn  covenants,  "  If  God  would  but  that  once  spare 
him,  he  would  not  do  the  like  evil  again."  At  that 
time  it  did  please  the  Almighty  to  spare  him  :  but 
he  soon  forgot  how  it  had  been  with  him,  and  fell 
into  the  same  sin  again;  although  he  had  a  most 
notable  admonition  in  a  dream,  but  a  little  before. 
45 


530  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

His  dream  was  this,  which  is  very  remarkable;  we 
being  then  at  sea,  in  sight  of  Great  Britain.  He  saw 
in  his  dream  a  great  and  spacious  town,  the  buildings 
high  and  streets  broad ;  at  which  he  landed,  and 
going  up  the  street  he  espied  a  large  sign,  on  which 
was  written  in  great  golden  letters,  shame,  to  which 
he  went,  and  at  the  door  stood  a  woman,  with  a  can 
of  drink  in  her  hand,  who  asked  him  to  drink;  to 
which  he  replied,  "  with  all  his  heart,  for  he  said  he 
had  drunk  nothing  but  water  a  great  while ; "  so  he 
took  the  can,  and  drank  a  hearty  draught,  which,  as 
he  said,  made  him  merry,  and  he  went  reeling  up  the 
street;  when  behold,  on  a  sudden,  a  grim  fellow  met 
him,  and  arrested  him  in  the  name  of  the  governor 
of  the  place,  before  whom  he  brought  him.  This 
governor,  he  said,  was  like  a  great  black  dog,  the 
largest  he  ever  saw,  who  grinned  at  him,  and  passed 
sentence  on  him  ;  and  sent  him  to  prison,  there  to 
live  forever.  He  told  me  this  dream  with  such 
emphasis  as  made  me  to  tremble,  which  was  inter- 
preted to  him.  I  told  him  that  he  was  an  ingenious 
young  man,  and  might  easily  discern  the  interpreta- 
tion of  this  dream,  which  to  me  seemed  to  be  ominous 
to  him.  "  The  great  town  and  high  buildings  are 
thy  great  and  high  profession ;  the  sign  on  which 
shame  was  written,  with  the  woman  with  the  can  at 
the  door,  show  the  great  shame  of  the  sin  of  drunk- 
enness, and  that  is  thy  weakness;  and  that  grim 
fellow  that  arrested  thee,  is  death,  who  will  arrest 
all  mortals ;  and  the  great  black  dog,  the  governor 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  531 

of  the  place,  is  the  devil;  who,  when  his  servants 
have  served  him  to  the  last,  will  torment  them  for- 
ever." "  God  forbid,  it  is  but  a  dream,"  was  his 
answer  to  me.  I  said  it  was  a  very  significant  one 
to  him. 

About  three  days  after  the  same  person  went  on 
board  a  ship,  whose  loading  was  wine  and  brandy. 
The  master  gave  a  can  of  wine  to  him,  and  said  the 
same  words  as  the  woman  said  to  him  in  his  dream, 
and  he  answered  with  the  same  expressions,  and  it 
had  the  same  effect  upon  him.  He  took  such  a  hearty 
draught  as  made  him  too  merry,  insomuch  that  he 
overset  the  boat,  and  was  drowned,  much  in  drink : 
and  I  seeing  him  sink  down,  and  his  dream  so  punc- 
tually fulfilled,  I  was  very  heavy  in  my  mind  for 
several  days. 

Oh !  methinks  I  could  wish  that  the  many  right- 
eous judgments  of  the  Most  High  might  effectually 
work  on  the  hearts  of  those  people  who  are  in  the 
flower  of  their  age,  to  their  conversion  and  salvation. 


The  Second  Instance  of  a  Merchant  addicted  to  the 
like  Destructive  Practices. 

The  second  is  of  a  merchant,  about  thirty-five 
years  of  age,  whom  I  saw  take  leave  of  this  world : 
he  was  one  who  had  spent  much  time  in  keeping 
unprofitable  company  and  over  drinking,  which  prac- 
tice wasted  his  strength  and  flesh,  as  it  did  his  time 


532  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  money,  and  brought  him  into  a  deep  consump- 
tion ;  as  it  has  many  to  my  certain  knowledge ; 
besides  bringing  the  racking  painful  distemper  of 
the  gout,  and  many  other  miseries;  so  that  at  last 
it  brought  him  to  his  chamber,  and  then  to  his  bed. 
In  his  sickness  he  several  times  sent  for  me,  and 
made  serious  acknowledgments  of  his  "  former  mis- 
spent time,  and  hoped,  if  the  Lord  would  spare  him, 
to  be  more  careful  for  the  time  to  come."  But  he 
was  no  longer  to  be  trusted  in  this  world;  for  he 
went  not  out  until  he  was  carried  in  his  coffin :  he 
held  my  hand  fast  in  his  until  he  died,  and  was  sen- 
sible to  the  last. 

One  day,  as  he  lay  on  his  death-bed,  he  called  me 
to  him  into  his  chamber,  and  "  Charged  me  to  caution 
the  young  people  to  be  careful  how  they  keep,  and 
spend  their  time  in,  evil  company,  for  it  had  been  his 
ruin,  and  now  lay  as  a  great  and  heavy  burden  on 
his  conscience.  Oh  !  said  he,  if  they  did  but  feel  one 
quarter  of  an  hour  what  I  feel,  they  never  would 
keep  such  company  any  more :  tell  this  to  my  former 
companions." 

And  indeed  there  is  a  great  deal  of  hurt  done  by 
young  men  getting  together  to  drink  wine,  or  other 
strong  drink.  I  wish  the  woe,  mentioned  in  the  holy 
Scriptures,  may  not  be  the  portion  of  many  of  them ; 
"  Who  are  mighty  to  drink  wine,  and  men  of  strength 
to  mingle  strong  drink ; "  and  sit  late  at  it,  which 
many  times  brings  suffering  on  parents,  wife,  children, 
and  servants,  as  well  as  themselves ;  and  is  a  very  dis- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  533 

orderly  practice,  being  a  reproach  to   all    Christian 
societies  and  families,  wherever  such  things  are. 

There  is  a  great  concern  upon  me  against  this 
growing  evil  in  our  young  generation  ;  and  I  hope,  in 
Christ  our  Lord,  that  heads  of  families  will  come 
under  the  like  exercise  in  themselves :  and  then,  if 
our  youth  will  neither  hear  nor  fear  the  Lord,  nor  us, 
we  shall  be  clear,  and  their  blood  will  be  on  their  own 
heads,  as  a  worthy  and  honorable  elder,  and  man  of 
God,  of  your  nation,  said ;  one  of  whose  offspring  is 
the  third  subject  that  I  shall  mention  to  thee,  of  the 
many  I  have  been  acquainted  with  in  my  pilgrimage 
here. 


The  Third  Instance  of  another   Young  Man,  who 
much  embraced  the  same  Destroying  Delights. 

The  5th  of  the  First   month,  at  Bridgetown,  in 

Barbadoes,  S.  E.,  son  of  W.  E.,  died.     His  death  wa3 

sudden  ;  and  as  was  reasonably  supposed,  he  destroyed 

himself  by  drinking  and  undue  company-keeping,  and 

sitting  long  at  it.     A  person,  to  whom  he  himself  had 

told  it,  told   me,  "  That  he  and  four   more,  at   one 

sitting,  drank  above  twenty  quarts  of  double-distilled 

rum  punch ;  which  put  him  in  a  violent  fever  :  so  that 

he  ran  about  the  streets,  with  a  naked  sword,  and 

talked  of  killing  one  of  the  neighbors,  in  this  drunken 

fit."     The  next  day  he  came  to  me,  and  asked  me, 

"  Whose  door  the  blood  would  have  lain  at,  if  he  had, 
45* 


534  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

in  that  fit  of  disorder,  killed  anybody  ?  "  By  which 
query,  I  thought  he  was  not  yet  rightly  come  to  him- 
self: because  there  were  some  ordinary  reports  about 
the  town  concerning  him,  he  reckoned  those  who 
broached  and  spread  those  reports,  would  have  been 
culpable,  and  must  have  answered  for  the  murder,  if 
he  had  committed  any :  but  this  was  but  covering 
his  sin. 

He  seemed  to  fall  out  with  religion  too;  for  he 
said,  "  He  would  come  no  more  to  worship,  till  he 
should  have  justice  done  him,  as  to  the  reports:" 
though,  poor  soul,  he  had  the  more  need  to  present 
himself  before  his  Maker,  and  bow  before  the  most 
high  God,  and  repent  in  great  humiliation.  The 
same  day  in  which  he  neglected  his  duty,  he  was 
taken  sick,  and  that  day  week  was  buried.  He  sent 
for  me,  and  I  went  to  him :  he  had  but  little  sense  of 
his  end,  that  I  could  perceive,  and  remained  so  till 
the  night  he  died.  I  was  by  him  when  he  died,  and 
saw  him  fetch  his  last  breath.  A  few  minutes  before 
he  gave  up  the  ghost,  he  trembled  and  shook  exceed- 
ingly, and  shrieked  out,  to  the  astonishment  of  all 
those  present,  which  pierced  my  very  soul  within  me : 
for  he  seemed  to  go  out  of  the  world  in  an  extreme 
great  agony. 

I  never  saw  any  depart  the  world  like  him ;  and 
indeed  it  was  amazing,  and  greatly  affected  my  mind 
with  sorrow  ;  for  I  thought  he  was  very  unfit  to  die. 
Oh  !  methinks  I  could  heartily  wish,  that  such  objects 
might  be  as  so  many  strong  motives,  to  stir  up  and 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  535 

awaken  the  offspring  of  good  men  and  virtuous 
women,  and  all  professing  Christianity,  to  fear  the 
Lord  and  walk  in  his  ways,  which  lead  to  life,  where 
the  sting  of  death  is  taken  away. 

The  children  of  godly  parents  have  much  to  answer 
for,  in  slighting  or  neglecting  the  wholesome  counsel 
and  faithful  admonition,  of  their  faithful  and  careful 
parents ;  whom  they  disgrace  and  dishonor,  contrary 
to  the  command  of  God,  who  says,  "  Honor  thy  par- 
ents, that  thy  days  may  be  long  in  the  land,  which 
the  Lord  thy  God  giveth  thee : "  and  none  can  truly 
honor  their  parents,  who  dishonor  God  their  Maker. 


The  Fourth  Instance  of  a  Young  Woman,  who 
often  absented  herself  from  Meetings  for  the  sake 
of  Bad  Company. 

The  fourth  instance  which  I  shall  give  thee,  is 
concerning  a  young  woman  of  about  twenty-five  years 
of  age ;  who  was  brought  up  very  tenderly  and  deli- 
cately, with  her  lockets  and  chains  of  gold,  and  wait- 
ing-maid :  but  her  parents  living  too  high  for  their 
income,  broke  in  people's  debt ;  and  their  children  as 
they  grew  up,  were  put  to  their  shifts.  What  pity 
it  is,  that  youth  are  not  brought  up  to  some  business, 
whereby  they  may  get  a  livelihood  in  the  world,  if 
their  parents  should  die  before  them !  And  though 
parents  may  have  a  handsome  interest  in  this  world, 
yet  it  has  been  thought  by  great,  as  well  as  wise  men, 


536  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

that  to  put  out  youth  to  trades  and  business,  is  both 
profitable  and  honorable  :  instances  of  the  evil  conse- 
quences of  the  contrary  have  been  very  many,  as 
woful  experience  doth  daily  teach  us.  This  young 
woman  was  one  :  for  falling  into  evil  company,  she 
r/in  into  debt,  and  was  put  into  prison ;  where  was  a 
murderer,  whom,  it  was  said,  she  was  accessory  to 
loose  from  his  chains ;  and  for  so  doing  was  put  in 
chains  herself,  along  with  him,  when  he  was  taken 
again.  Now,  instead  of  her  gold  chain,  she  must 
take  up  with  an  iron  one,  and  in  a  little  time  be  tried 
for  her  life.  In  expectation  of  death,  being  in  great 
distress,  she  sent  for  me,  and  entreated  me  to  eome 
and  see  her  die,  and  much  lamented  her  condition  : 
"  Oh  !  said  she,  that  I  might  be  a  warning  to  all 
young  people,  to  be  careful  that  they  keep  not  evil 
company,  and  spend  their  time  which  should  be  spent 
in  worship,  in  airy  company,  and  other  vain  diver- 
sions, when  they  should  be  doing  their  duty  to  God." 
And  then  she  would  weep  bitterly ;  she  being  very 
penitent,  it  very  much  affected  me;  and  I  told  her, 
"  That  I  did  believe,  if  she  in  her  heart  was  clear,  and 
noways  consenting  to  the  murder,  her  life  would  be 
given  her;  but  then  woe  and  misery  would  be  her 
portion,  if  she  did  not  amend  her  ways."  And  as  I 
was  leaving  her,  she  charged  me,  "  To  warn  young 
people  that  they  might  be  careful  that  they  spend  not 
their  time  in  vanity,  and  to  keep  out  of  vain  and 
wicked  company,"  which  she  said  had  brought  her  to 
that  misery  and  shame  :  "  And  that  they  should  take 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  537 

the  counsel  and  advice  of  good  friends,  which  if  I  had 
done,  said  she,  I  had  not  brought  reproach  on  my 
friends  and  on  my  parents." 

In  a  little  time  after,  she  was  brought  to  a  trial, 
and  acquitted  by  the  jury.  I  saw  her  once  since, 
and  reminded  her  of  her  duty;  which,  she  said,  "  She 
hoped  to  perform ;  and  that  it  should  be  a  warning 
to  her  while  she  lived  in  this  world  : "  and  that  such 
examples  may  be  a  warning  to  all  people,  is  the 
earnest  desire  of  a  lover  of  souls,  and  servant  of 
Jesus.  Thomas  Chalkley. 

Since  I  wrote  the  foregoing,  there  being  a  person 
in  this  place  who  would  be  sometimes  overtaken  in 
drink,  I  sent  it  to  him  to  copy  over,  hoping  it  might 
have  some  good  effect  on  him.  Before  he  had  copied 
the  relation  of  the  first  person,  he  was  so  smitten  with 
the  sense  of  the  judgment  of  the  Almighty,  that  he 
cried  out,  and  said,  "  He  was  a  condemned  person, 
and  that  he  felt  the  fire  of  hell."  He  sent  for  me 
and  several  others,  and  begged  of  us  to  pray  for  him : 
he  was  told,  "  That  the  hand  of  God  was  upon  him 
for  sin,  and  desired  to  take  warning  in  time,  and 
repent,  lest  the  Lord  should  cut  him  off  in  his  iniqui- 
ty." The  Lord  did  accordingly  cut  off  this  person, 
he  dying  suddenly,  by  hard  drinking,  as  I  was  in- 
formed by  a  letter  from  Barbadoes ;  though  he 
promised,  "  If  the  Lord  would  spare  him  then,  to  be 
more  faithful  for  the  time  to  come;  and  was  then 
under  deep  inward  exercise  of  mind.     I  mention  this 


538  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

as  a  corroboration  of  the  above  instances,  for  further 
admonition.  This  person  was  in  a  considerable  post 
in  that  government :  his  name  I  forbear  to  mention, 
for  divers  reasons.  If  thou  and  Friends  see  meet,  I 
could  desire,  from  the  exercise  that  is  on  my  mind, 
that  this  might  be  spread;  peradventure  it  might 
have  place  with  some,  for  their  good. 


A  Letter  to  Aquila  Paea,  High  Sheriff  of  Baltimore 
County,  in  the  Province  of  Maryland,  and  to 
other  Friends  there. 

Barbadoes,  1st  of  Twelfth  month,  1718. 

Loving  Friend,  Aquila  Paca,  —  Meeting  here  with 
Captain  Swaddle,  bound  for  your  river,  I  found  a 
concern  on  my  mind  to  send  a  few  lines,  remembering 
the  good  opportunities  I  had  at  your  meeting  in  that 
neighborhood,  together  with  those  few  poor  honest 
souls  that  I  met  with  there ;  and  I  desire  thee  to  give 
my  dear  love  in  Christ  to  them. 

Dear  friend,  I  am  tenderly  concerned  in  the  love 
of  God  and  his  dear  Son,  to  beg  of  thee,  that  thou  let 
not  the  world,  nor  any  thing  therein,  either  the 
riches,  pleasures,  or  friendship  thereof,  draw  thy  mind 
from  that  measure  of  grace  which  hath  been  mani- 
fested to  thee  ;  for  God  hath  visited  thee  in  his  tender 
love  and  mercy,  as  thou  well  knowest,  and  hath  be- 
gotten good  desires  in  thee,  and  convinced  thee  of  the 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  539 

holy  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  Oh  !  saith  my  soul,  that 
thou  mayest  more  and  more  grow  therein,  to  thy 
bringing  forth  much  good  fruit,  to  the  glory  of  God, 
and  the  eternal  good  of  that  part  in  thee  which  will 
never  die. 

Salute  me  to  thy  wife  and  children,  and  the  neigh- 
bors, and  their  children  also,  all  of  whom  I  wish  well 
in  this  world,  and  also  in  that  which  is  to  come,  the 
same  I  wish  to  all  those  who  love  Christ,  so  as  to 
keep  his  commandments. 

If  thou  seest  meet,  thou  mayest  read  what  follows 
at  the  close  of  your  meeting  on  a  First  day,  which 
meeting  I  hope  you  keep  up  in  order  to  worship  God 
in  Christ's  name ;  for  to  such  as  meet  in  his  name,  he 
hath  promised  to  be  in  the  midst  of  them,  wherever 
they  so  meet;  which  he  hath  graciously  fulfilled  at 
many  times. 

Dear  Friends,  it  is  in  my  mind  to  visit  you  with  the 
salutation  of  brotherly  love,  in  our  holy  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  and  may  let  you  know,  that  though  I  have 
been  long  absent  from  you  in  body,  yet  have  I  been 
often  present  in  spirit  with  you,  and  you  have  been 
often  in  my  mind,  with  prayers  to  the  Lord  for  your 
growth  in  the  holy  truth,  which  he  hath  been  pleased 
to  make  known  to  you;  and  many  times  I  have  desired 
the  Almighty,  that  he  would  be  pleased  to  preserve 
a  seed  in  your  parts  that  should  serve  him,  and  be 
accounted  to  him  for  a  generation.  I  have  also  desired 
that  the  Lord  would  visit  your  young  ones,  and  bring 
them  to  the  knowledge  of  his  truth :  and  I  pray  God, 


540  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

that  the  tende.-  visitation  that  was  on  divers  of  them, 
when  I  wa3  present  with  you,  may  never  be  forgotten 
by  them,  but  that  they  may  be  plants  of  righteous- 
ness, of  God's  own  right-hand  planting. 

And,  dear  Friends,  forsake  not  the  assembling  of 
yourselves  together,  in  the  name  of  Christ,  remem- 
bering how  you  have  been  visited  with  the  heart- 
melting  power,  and  the  sweet  presence  of  the  Most 
High,  in  your  silent  waiting  on,  and  worshipping  him 
in  his  holy  Spirit  and  truth,  as  well  as  when  you  have 
been  vocally  visited  by  the  ministers  of  Jesus. 

Such  worshippers,  as  our  Lord  said  to  the  woman 
of  Samaria,  the  heavenly  Father  seeketh  to  worship 
him ;  and  those  whom  God  finds  under  such  exercise, 
such  find  him  to  be  unto  them  all  in  all ;  he  is  unto 
them  wisdom,  righteousness,  justification,  sanctifica- 
tion,  and  redemption. 

Oh !  dear  souls,  look  to  him  who  is  invisible  to  the 
outward  eye,  who  is  God  over  all,  and  is  blessed  for 
ever :  and  may  you,  if  this  comes  to  you,  feel  the 
divine  life  and  spirit  of  Christ,  in  the  reading  of  this 
little  epistle  of  brotherly  love. 

Live  in  love,  for  God  is  love,  and  all  those  who 
dwell  in  divine  love,  dwell  in  God;  wherefore  love 
one  another,  that  thereby  ye  may  be  known  to  be 
Christ's  disciples  :  "  For,"  says  he,  "  by  this  shall  all 
men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love 
one  to  another;"  or,  "if  you  love  one  another,"  as 
one  of  the  evangelists  hath  it. 

Keep  low  in  mind  and  humble  in  spirit;  for  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  541 

humble,  God  will  teach  of  his  ways,  and  the  meek  he 
will  guide  in  judgment,  and  those  whom  he  teaches, 
are  taught  the  mysteries  of  his  kirlgdom,  which  mys- 
teries he  teaches  to  spiritual  babes  and  sucklings, 
glory  to  his  holy  name !  He  often  hides  those  holy 
mysteries  from  the  wise  and  prudent,  and  reveals 
them  unto  such  men,  women,  and  children,  as  are 
little  in  their  own  eyes,  and  despised  by  the  wise 
in  natural  wisdom,  or  the  wisdom  of  this  vain  world. 

Oh !  mind  your  heavenly  Guide,  dear  Friends,  let 
me  entreat  you ;  for  he  leads  out  of  all  sin,  and  out 
of  all  vanity  and  evil,  of  what  kind  soever;  and  as 
our  Saviour  saith,  into  all  truth.  When  Christ  comes 
by  his  grace  and  spirit  into  the  heart,  he  opens  the 
soul  and  enlightens  the  understanding,  even  in  our 
common  conversation ;  and  much  more,  at  times,  in 
our  solemn  meetings,  when  we  meet  together  to  wor- 
ship and  serve  him ;  so  that  it  is  good  to  wait  upon 
the  Lord,  and  to  seek  him  with  the  whole  heart. 

Dear  Friends,  though  my  heart  is  full  of  love  and 
good  will  to  yfou  at  this  time,  as  at  many  other  times 
also,  I  must  now  conclude,  and  commit  you  into  the 
holy  arms  of  Him  who  is  love,  begging  the  God  of 
love  and  peace  to  keep  you,  and  preserve  you  to  his 
heavenly  kingdom ;  to  whom  be  all  glory  and  praise, 
might,  majesty,  and  divine  dominion,  through  his  dear 
Son  and  the  holy  Spirit,  for  evermore. 

Thomas  Chalkley. 

46 


542  THE    JOURNAL    OP 


Christ* a  Kingdom  exalted ;  being  a  Short  Essay  in 
order  to  promote  Truth  and  Righteousness  in  the 
Earth,  and  to  discourage  Unholiyiess,  Ungodliness, 
and  Unbelief. 


PREFACE. 

Christian  Reader, — 

In  order  to  promote  and  exalt  the  kingdom  of  the 
dear  Son  of  God,  according  to  the  gift  and  measure 
of  grace  received,  I  was  concerned  to  write  the  follow- 
ing tract  at  sea.  Considering  the  evil  tendency  of  the 
belief  and  principle  which  has  overspread  a  great  part 
of  the  professors  of  Christianity,  that  we  cannot  be 
free  from  sin  in  this  life,  which  is  contrary  to  the  doc- 
trine of  the  holy  Scriptures  of  both  the  Old  and  New 
Testament,  I  could  not  be  easy  in  my  mind,  without 
opposing  such  a  dangerous  tenet.  For  if  we  believe 
that  we  must  always  sin,  this  being  a  sinful  faith, 
"  according  to  our  faith,  so  it  will  be  unto  us ; "  and 
if  we  die  in  our  sins,  Christ  hath  told  us,  where  he  is 
gone,  we  cannot  come.  And  holy  record  informs  us, 
that  no  unclean  thing  can  enter  God's  kingdom. 

I  have,  also,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the  true  Christian 
believer,  collected  the  following  texts  of  holy  Scrip- 
ture, which  maintain  the  doctrine  of  holiness  and 
perfection,  and  directly  oppose  that  evil  principle, 
that  we  can  never  be  free  from  sin  in  this  life. 

"  Walk  before  me,  and  be  thou  perfect." 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  543 

"  Ye  shall  be  holy,  for  I  the  Lord  your  God  am 
holy." 

"And  ye  shall  be  holy  men  unto  me." 

"Noah  was  a  just  man,  and  perfect  in  his  genera- 
tion." 

"  Without  holiness,  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord." 

"We  should  be  holy,  and  without  blame  before 
him,  in  love." 

"  To  present  you  holy,  unblamable,  unreprovable, 
in  his  sight." 

"  If  any  man  defile-  the  temple  of  God,  him  shall 
God  destroy,  for  the  temple  of  God  is  holy,  which 
temple  ye  are." 

"  So  be  ye  holy  in  all  manner  of  conversation, 
because  it  is  written,  be  ye  holy,  for  I  am  holy." 

"What  manner  of  persons  ought  ye  to  be  in  all 
holy  conversation  and  godliness." 

"Thou  shalt  be  perfect  with  the  Lord  thy  God." 

"  The  Lord  said,  Job  was  perfect  and  upright." 

"  Be  ye  therefore  perfect;  "  the  words  of  Christ. 

"  I  in  them,  and  thou  in  me,  that  they  may  be  made 
perfect  in  one." 

"  Howbeit  we  speak  wisdom  among  them  who  are 
perfect." 

"  Finally,  brethren,  be  perfect,  be  of  one  mind." 

"  That  we  may  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ 
Jesus :  that  ye  may  stand  perfect  and  complete  in  all 
the  will  of  God." 

"Now  the  God  of  peace, etc.,  make  you  perfect  in 
every  good  work." 


544  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

"  That  ye  may  be  perfect  and  entire,  wanting 
nothing." 

"  Having  therefore  these  promises,  dearly  beloved, 
let  us  cleanse  ourselves  from  all  filthiness  of  flesh  and 
spirit,  perfecting  holiness  in  the  fear  of  God." 

"  Unto  a  perfect  man,  unto  the  measure  of  the 
stature  of  the  fulness  of  Christ." 

"  This  we  wish,  even  your  perfection." 

"Let  us  go  on  to  perfection." 

"  Be  not  overcome  of  evil,  but  overcome  evil  with 
good." 

"  Ye  have  overcome  the  wicked  one ; "  this  is  twice 
repeated  in  one  chapter. 

"  Ye  are  of  God,  and  have  overcome." 

"Whatsoever  is  born  of  God,  overcometh  the 
world,"  etc. 

"  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the 
tree  of  life." 

"  He  that  overcometh,  shall  not  be  hurt  of  the 
second  death." 

"  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give  to  eat  of  the 
hidden  manna." 

"  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give  power  over 
the  nations." 

"  He  that  overcometh,  the  same  shall  be  clothed  in 
white  raiment." 

"  Him  that  overcometh,  will  I  make  a  pillar  in  the 
temple  of  my  God,  and  he  shall  go  no  more  out." 

"To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  grant  to  sit  with 
me  in  my  throne." 


THOMAS     CHALKLET.  545 

"He  that  overcometh  shall  inherit  all  things." 

Consider,  then,  courteous  reader,  I  pray  thee,  for 
what  are  all  this  language  of  the  Spirit,  all  these 
words  of  God,  and  all  these  commands,  exhortations, 
and  glorious  promises?  What  is  the  end  and  ten- 
dency of  them  ? 

If  the  Almighty  commands  things  that  cannot  be 
done,  what  will  that  make  of  him  ?  If  his  servants 
labor  and  exhort  us  to  things  not  to  be  done,  where 
will  those  absurdities  land  ?  Surely  it  must  centre 
in  the  mouth  of  the. unprofitable  servant,  and  such 
as  charge  God  foolishly.  And  are  all  those  glorious 
promises  made  to  put  us  on  to  fight  against  sin  and 
Satan,  without  a  possibility  of  overcoming?  God  for- 
bid; and  may  he,  Christian  reader,  forbid  also  that 
thou  shouldst  believe  such  a  gross  and  palpable  error. 

Oh !  that  the  Almighty  Lord  may  send  forth  more 
and  more  his  holy  light  and  truth,  and  thereby  lead 
and  guide  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth ;  so  that  they 
may  not  give  up  the  cause  of  Christ,  but  manfully 
resist,  even  to  death,  that  at  last  they  may  have  a 
crown  of  life.  Thomas  Chalkley. 


In  the  Christian  world,  it  is  too  generally  believed, 
that  on  this  side  the  grave  people  cannot  be  free  from 
sin.  This  principle,  or  belief,  is  a  great  hinderance 
to  the  glorious  work  of  reformation,  and  mightily 
obstructs  people  in  their  way  to  eternal  glory.  It 
tends  to  uphold  the  kingdom  of  Satan,  which  every 
good  Christian,  with  St.  Paul,  should  be  for  pulling 

46* 


546  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

down ;  and  in  order  to  do  this,  should  make  use  of 
the  weapons  which  he  did,  that  is,  the  armor  of  light, 
viz. :  The  preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace,  the  girdle 
of  truth,  the  helmet  of  salvation,  the  breastplate  of 
righteousness,  the  shield  of  faith,  and  the  sword  of 
the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God.  This  is  indeed 
a  holy  war,  to  war  against  sin  and  Satan  ;  and  the 
armor  of  light  is  also  heavenly  armor ;  and  this  holy 
apostle  was  a  valiant  soldier,  who  was  also  victorious 
in  this  war.  Oh !  who  would  not  enlist  themselves 
under  Christ's  banner,  and  fight  this  fight  of  faith 
with  courage  and  true  Christian  valor.  Then  would 
they  witness  the  truth  of  that  saying  of  the  apostle, 
"That  the  weapons  of  this  warfare  are  not  carnal, 
but  mighty,  through  God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  the 
strongholds  of  sin  and  Satan."  Oh!  down  with  those 
strongholds :  let  every  lover  of  Jesus  Christ  pray  that 
the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  Christ  may  be  exalted 
forever.  Sin  is  the  chief  support  of  Satan's  kingdom, 
which  Christ  came  to  destroy  and  put  an  end  to,  and 
to  bring  in  everlasting  righteousness.  He  came  to 
save  his  people  from  their  sins ;  as  his  doctrine  in  his 
excellent  sermon  on  the  mount,  and  his  many  other 
divine  expressions,  do  plainly  and  abundantly  mani- 
fest. Now  considering  the  great  evil  of  this  danger- 
ous principle,  I  have  been  deeply  affected  on  account 
of  poor  mankind,  to  whose  utter  ruin  and  eternal 
destruction  it  most  certainly  tends.  If  we  were  to 
reason  as  rational  beings,  with  what  spirit  and  courage 
should  we  undertake  any  business,  or  concern,  if  before- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  547 

hand  we  were  grounded  in  a  belief  that  we  could  not 
perform  our  undertaking?  Or  what  nation  or  people 
in  the  world  would  have  any  courage  to  oppose  their 
common  enemies,  if  at  the  same  time  they  did  believe 
they  should  never  overcome  them  ?  Would  not  this 
abundantly  dispirit  and  discourage  them  ?  let  any 
rational  soul  judge.  This  belief  of  sinning  to  the 
end  of  our  days,  is  a  mighty  engine  of  Satan  to  sup- 
port his  kingdom.  Pray,  what  signify  all  the  preach- 
ing and  writing  in  the  world  against  sin,  though  ever 
so  elegantly  or  scholastically  written  or  delivered  by 
the  greatest  orators  or  ministers,  if  at  the  same  time 
this  doctrine  be  upheld  and  maintained  in  pulpits, 
prints,  and  otherwise,  and  received  and  believed  by 
the  people  ?  Let  truth  and  right  reason  in  this  mat- 
ter bear  rule  and  be  judge,  and  the  cause  will  be 
determined  against  sin  and  Satan :  but  the  "  King- 
dom of  Christ  is  an  everlasting  kingdom,  and  of  his 
dominion  there  shall  never  be  an  end."  This  is  a 
word  of  encouragement  to  the  followers  of  Christ  to 
be  faithful  to  his  commands. 

Though  the  devil  is  king  over  all  the  children  of 
pride  and  disobedience,  and  prince  of  the  power  of 
the  air,  yet  "  the  Lamb  and  his  followers  will  have 
the  victory"  over  sin  and  him,  although  sometimes 
it  may  fare  with  them  as  with  their  Lord,  who  obtained 
it  through  sufferings ;  and  let  it  be  remembered  by 
them,  that  they  shall  in  the  end  reign  with  him. 
"  Fear  not  little  flock,  says  Christ,  for  it  is  your 
Father's  good  pleasure  to  give  you  the  kingdom." 


548  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

By  which  words,  when  received  in  faith,  the  soul  is 
inspired  with  courage  and  holy  boldness,  to  resist  the 
tempter ;  though  we  may  have  the  disadvantage  of 
being  but  few,  and  Satan  and  his  followers  many, 
who  support  his  kingdom  with  this  sinful  principle 
and  doctrine  above  mentioned.  One  wily  way  which 
he  useth  to  uphold  his  kingdom,  is  to  wrest  and  abuse 
the  holy  Scriptures,  and  strain  them  to  his  evil  pur- 
poses, as  he  served  our  Lord,  the  Captain  of  our  sal- 
vation, as  will  be  shown  hereafter.  When  he  makes 
use  of  any  of  the  words  of  God,  it  is  for  an  evil  end, 
and  that  end  must  needs  be  wicked  which  is  to  keep 
people  in  sin, 'or  to  create  a  belief  that  we  cannot  live 
without  it  in  this  world;  which,  if  he  can  obtain,  and 
cause  people  to  believe,  he  knows  he  hath  a  great 
advantage  over  them.  For  how  should  dust  and 
ashes  overcome  sin,  who  confess  they  are,  and  be- 
lieve they  always  shall  be,  sinners  ?  Wherefore  let 
us  examine  and  see  what  use  he  makes  of  those 
Scriptures,  which  he  brings  to  support  people  in  sin, 
and  by  which  he  makes  them  believe  they  can  never 
live  without  it ;  some  of  which  are  as  follows,  viz. : 
First,  beginning  with  that  saying  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  to  a  young  man  who  asked  him,  "  What  good 
thing  he  should  do  to  inherit  eternal  life,"  calling  him 
good  master.  Our  Saviour  replies,  "  Why  callest  thou 
me  good,  there  is  none  who  is  good,  but  one,  that  is 
God."  The  young  man  thought  he  was  speaking  to 
a  mortal  man ;  and  it  seems  to  have  been  the  will  of 
Christ,  by  this  remark,  both  to  caution  his  disciples 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  549 

against  the  use  of  vain  compliments,  and  to  let  them 
know  that  the  young  man  had  not  true  faith  in  him, 
as  he  was  the  Son  of  God.  It  is  most  certainly  true, 
that  in  fulness  and  perfection  there  is  no  man  good, 
compared  with  God ;  but  comparing  men  with  men, 
there  are  good  men,  women,  and  children,  who  fea* 
God  and  do  truly  love  Christ,  and  there  have  been  a 
few  such  in  all  ages,  and  will  be  some  such  to  the  end 
of  the  world.  To  construe  Christ's  words  otherwise, 
would  be  to  abuse  the  holy  Scriptures,  which  Satan 
makes  a  common  practice  of  doing. 

Second ;  Another  is  that  expression  of  Solomon, 
"  There  is  no  man  that  sinneth  not."  The  learned 
say  this  should  be  interpreted,  and  who  may  not  sin. 
But  though  it  may  truly  be  said  of  men,  in  one  part 
of  their  lives  or  other,  or  in  the  state  of  man  in  the 
fall,  or  degeneration,  there  is  no  man  that  sinneth 
not,  yet  in  the  regeneration  or  new  birth,  the  apostle 
John,  in  the  third  chapter  of  his  first  epistle,  and 
ninth  verse,  saith,  that  "  Whosoever  is  born  of  God, 
doth  not  commit  sin,  for  his  seed  remaineth  in  him : 
and  he  cannot  sin,  because  he  is  born  of  God."  It 
is  this  seed  which  would  beget  this  new  and  living 
birth,  which-  makes  us  children  of  God,  and  heirs 
of  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  and  this,  Satan  would 
destroy,  for  he  knows  he  shall  have  an  enemy  of 
every  such  soul,  and  therefore  it  is  the  devil's  inter- 
est and  endeavor  to  destroy  every  such  birth,  and 
the  belief  that  Christians  can  live  without  sin  in  the 
world. 


550  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

Third ;  "  Who  can  say,  I  have  made  my  heart 
clean,  I  am  pure  from  sin."  David  prayed  to  the 
Almighty  in  his  psalms;  "  Create  in  me  a  clean  heart, 
and  renew  a  right,  or  pure  spirit  within  me ; "  which 
prayer  was  no  doubt  answered  :  but  this  is  the  work 
of  God,  and  to  him  all  things  are  possible,  even  that 
which  looks  impossible  to  men ;  for  "  He  can  make  a 
man  more  pure  than  gold."  So  it  being  the  work  of 
God,  no  man  can  say,  he  hath  done  it,  that  he  hath 
purified  himself,  or  made  himself  clean.  Can  the 
Almighty  make  a  man  pure  ?  It  might  with  much 
truth  be  answered,  he  can ;  and  it  is  supposed  no 
good  Christian  will  deny  it :  and  then  what  will 
become  of  that  absurd,  antichristian,  and  antiscrip- 
tural  tenet,  that  we  cannot  be  clean  or  pure  from  sin 
in  this  world  ? 

It  may  be  said,  if  there  are  any  who  live  without 
sin,  they  are  but  very  few :  a  sorrowful  truth  indeed ! 
But  is  it  not  every  one's  interest  to  strive  to  be  one 
of  those  few,  as  it  is  also  his  indispensable  duty :  our 
Lord  also  saith,  that  the  way  to  his  kingdom  is 
straight  and  narrow,  and  that  there  are  but  few  that 
find  it.  Must  we  therefore  give  up  the  cause,  and 
not  seek  the  kingdom,  and  because  of  the  difficulty 
of  Christ's  cross  here  in  this  world,  go  in  the  broad 
way,  where  there  is  much  room  and  company  ?  May 
every  true  Christian  say,  the  Lord  forbid  it,  and  I 
humbly  pray,  not  only  say,  but  do  that  which  is 
right  in  the  sight  of  God. 

Fourth;  The  next  is  an  expression  of  Solomon's, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  551 

"There  is  not  a  just  man  upon  earth  that  doth  good, 
and  sinneth  not."  This  should  be  interpreted  as  the 
former,  and  who  may  not  sin :  he  speaketh  of  a  man 
in  the  state  of  vanity  and  sin,  before  a  reformation  ; 
for  divine  wisdom  and  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  which 
he  taught,  keeps  the  heart  clean,  and  preserves  from 
the  snares  of  sin,  death,  and  the  devil ;  so  that  this 
state  of  sin  that  he  here  speaks  of,  must  be  before 
man  attains  to  the  wisdom  of  God,  and  before  he 
comes  truly  to  live  in  his  fear.  He  must  certainly 
do  good,  who  lives  in  the  fear  of  God,  "  Which,"  as 
the  same  Solomon  says,  "  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom  ; 
and  to  depart  from  iniquity  is  a  good  understanding." 
So  that  he  shows  man  his  state  of  vanity  and  sin,  and 
teacheth  people  how  to  avoid  it,  by  fearing  the  Lord 
and  walking  in  the  counsel  of  wisdom,  i.  e.,  Christ's 
counsel,  who  is  the  wisdom  of  God  to  salvation. 
That  all  men  are  sinners  before  the  work  of  conver- 
sion, is  true,  and  that  the  devil  intends  to  keep  them 
there  to  their  lives'  end,  is  as  true ;  and  no  likelier 
way  can  he  do  it,  than  by  keeping  them  in  a  belief 
that  they  must  live  in  sin,  and  cannot  live  without  it' 
whilst  they  live  in  this  world ;  and  when  they  come 
to  die,  then  fear  surprises  the  hypocrite,  and  terror 
takes  hold  of  the  ungodly:  and  many  times,  when 
too  late,  they  see  the  snares  which  the  devil  and  sin 
have  brought  them  into.  Oh !  what  pity  it  is,*that 
this  veil  of  darkness  is  not  done  away  in  time  of 
youth,  strength,  and  health,  when  the  bones  are  full 
of  marrow,  and  the  veins  are  full  of  blood  :  but  the 


552  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

design  of  Satan  is  to  lead  people  on  in  this  pernicious 
principle  till  death,  and  then  before  they  are  aware, 
they  may  drop  into  eternal  woe  and  misery,  where 
the  wicked  and  the  ungodly  must  be  turned,  with  all 
them  that  forget  God ;  for  in  heaven,  where  Christ  is, 
"  If  we  die  in  our  sins,  we  cannot  come." 

Fifth ;  The  apostle  John  writes  thus,  "  If  we  say 
we  have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves,  and  the  truth 
is  not  in  us.     If  we  confess  our  sins,  He  is  faithful 
and  just  to  forgive  us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from 
all  unrighteousness.     If  we  say  we  have  not  sinned, 
we  make  him  a  liar,  and  his  word  is  not  in  us ; " 
which  answers  to  the  eighth  verse,  "If  we  say  we 
have  no  sin,  we  deceive  ourselves."     The  ninth  verse 
fully  lets  us  into  the  meaning  of  the  eighth  verse, 
i.  e.,  if  we  confess  our  sins,  for  all  ought  toiconfess, 
and  also  to  forsake  their  sins,  all  having  sinned,  and 
being   by  nature  children  of  wrath ;    otherwise  we 
have  no  assurance  of  mercy  from  the  holy  Scriptures ; 
then  the  Almighty  "  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive 
us  our  sins,  and  to  cleanse  us  from  all  unrighteous- 
ness."    And  pray  what  sin  is  there  when  we   are 
cleansed  from  all  unrighteousness  ?     And  then  in  the 
tenth  verse  he  says,  "  If  we  say  we  have  not  sinned, 
we  make  him  a  liar."     There  is  no  doubt  that  we 
havp  sinned,  which  is  what  the  apostle  plainly  points 
at  in  the  eighth  verse.     And  if  any  man  sin,  "  We 
have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  even  Jesus  Christ, 
the  righteous :  and  God  is  faithful  and  just  to  forgive 
us  our  sins."     But  then  we  must  repent  and  forsake, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  553 

if  we  expect  to  find  mercy ;  though  we  have  sin,  or 
have  had  sin,  we  mast  not  always  have  it,  for  if  we 
have  it  always,  woe  will  be  to  us,  according  to  the 
words  of  God  and  Christ.  "Let  no  man,"  nor  the 
devil  either,  "  deceive  you :  he  that  doth  righteous- 
ness, is  righteous :  he  that  committeth  sin,  is  of  the 
devil."  This  is  plain  and  naked  truth,  let  who  will 
like,  or  dislike  it.  Further,  in  the  ninth  and  tenth 
verses,  he  again  repeats  to  the  same  purpose,  saying, 
"  In  this  the  children  of  God  are  manifest,  and  the 
children  of  the  devil :  whosoever  doeth  not  righteous- 
ness, is  not  of  God."  Ergo,  then  he  must  be  of  the 
devil,  while  he  is  in  unrighteousness. 

There  are  divers  other  places  in  the  holy  Scriptures, 
which  he  abuseth  in  like  manner,  and  which  he  and 
his  children  wrest  to  uphold  him  and  his  kingdom  of 
sin  and  unrighteousness,  and  themselves  therein.  By 
the  grace  of  God,  we  may  see  his  wiles  and  delusions, 
and  the  rottenness  of  his  cause,  as  also  the  unsafe  and 
dangerous  foundation  of  his  building,  though  endeav- 
oring to  support  the  same,  by  that  which  was  always 
designed  to  destroy  him  and  his  kingdom,  i.  e.,  the 
holy  Scriptures.  May  all  men  judge  in  this  matter, 
whether  that  is  a  right  .spirit  which  would  pick  and 
cull  out  a  few  verses,  and  sometimes  a  few  words  out 
of  a  verse,  in  osder  to  make  them  speak  contrary  to 
the  whole  scope  and  tenor,  or  tendency  of  the  holy 
Scriptures,  and  to  plant  a  belief  that  we  shall  never 
overcome  sia  and  unrighteousness  in  this  world, 
though  the  holy  Scriptures  all  along  exhort,  and 
47 


554  THE   JOURNAL    Of 

teach  us,  to  avoid  sin  and  unrighteousness,  and  live  a 
holy  righteous  life  in  this  present  world.  I  say,  may 
all  judge  whether  such  a  spirit  can  be  of  God,  or 
whether  it  be  not  of,  and  from  the  father  of  lies.  If 
it  be  plainly  proved,  that  there  have  been  those  who 
have  overcome  sin  and  Satan,  and  that  Christ  and 
his  holy  apostles  repeatedly  exhorted  to  fight  against 
sin  and  the  devil,  who  is  the  author  of  all  sin ;  and 
Christ  faithfully  promises  most  sweet  and  gracious 
rewards  to  those  who  shall  overcome,  in  order  to 
encourage  the  spiritual  warrior  to  a  faithful  persever- 
ance, and  resisting  of  sin  and  Satan,  then  it  is  hoped 
that  Satan  will  be  wounded,  his  kingdom  shaken,  and 
this  evil  and  destructive  principle,  in  some  measure 
laid  waste,  in  some  poor  souls,  into  whose  hands  these 
may  come. 

First;  Beginning  with  the  great  apostle  of  the 
gentiles,  a  notable  soldier  in  the  Lamb's  spiritual  war, 
"I  have,"  says  he,  "fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  fin- 
ished my  course,  I  have  kept  the  faith.  Henceforth 
there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness, 
which  the  Lord,  the  righteous  Judge,  will  give  me  at 
that  day :  and  not  to  me  only,  but  unto  all  those  that 
love  his  appearing."  And  if  this  be  not  encourage- 
ment, what  is ?  He  also  saith,  "Be  ye  followers  of 
me,  even  as  I  also  am  of  Christ."  Jlere  is  example, 
exhortation,  and  encouragement,  with  experience. 

Second ;  Another  of  the  apostles,  John,  in  his  first 
epistle,  is  positive  that  those  young  men  he  writes  to 
had   already  overcome   the  wicked   one.     "I   write 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  555 

unto  you,"  says  he,  "young  men,  because  you  have 
overcome  the  wicked  one."  And  in  the  fourteenth 
verse  he  repeats  it  again,  as  though  he  would  doubly 
and  deeply  imprint  it  in  their  minds,  "  I  have  written 
unto  you  young  men,  because  ye  are  strong,  and  the 
word  of  God  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  have  overcome 
the  wicked  one."  Here  were  young  men,  who  were 
truly  valiant  and  noble,  to  wage  war  with  the  wicked 
one.  If  it  was  possible  for  them,  why  is  it  not  pos- 
sible for  us  also  ?  Oh  !  that  our  young  men  of  this 
generation  would  take"  those  young  men  for  their  ex- 
amples, to  make  war  with  the  wicked  one,  and  truly 
endeavor  to  pull  down  his  kingdom.  It  is  worth  our 
notice,  that  those  young  men  had  the  word  of  God 
abiding  in  them;  by  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  they 
overcame,  by  it  they  were  cleansed,  by  taking  heed 
to  walk  according  to  its  directions,  as  it  is  written, 
"  Wherewith  shall  a  young  man  cleanse  his  ways  ? 
By  taking  heed  thereto,  according  to  thy  word." 
The  great  reason  why  young  men  are  overcome,  in- 
stead of  overcoming,  is  their  heedlessness  to,  and  of 
the  word ;  for  notwithstanding  their  bones  be  full  of 
marrow,  and  their  veins  full  of  blood,  and  nature 
strong,  having  many  temptations  to  sin  and  evil,  yet, 
by  taking  heed  to  the  word,  they  might  be  reformed  : 
and  through  the  immediate  power  and  strength  there- 
of, may  overcome  the  wicked  one.  Here  were  young 
men  who  actually  overcame  sin  and  Satan,  to  whom 
this  holy  servant  of  Jesus  wrote,  by  way  of  encour- 
agement.    Is  the  arm  of  the  Lord  shortened  ?  Surely 


556  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

no.  It  is  true  mortals  are  short  in  their  duty,  but 
not  the  Almighty  in  his  holy  power,  nor  his  dear 
Son,  in  his  unparalleled  love,  and  most  pure  doctrine : 
whose  doctrine  shall  be  set  down,  as  the  Spirit  indited 
it  to  the  seven  churches  in  Asia. 

First ;  To  the  church  of  Ephesus :  "He  that  hath 
an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  to 
the  churches :  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give 
to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God."  Here  is  an  excellent  promise  and 
blessed  encouragement  to  such  as  believe,  and  are 
faithful,  and  are  desirous  to  fight  in  the  Lamb's.war 
against  sin  and  Satan.  The  same  apostle  gives  a 
description  of  this  tree  of  life,  "  That  it  bears  twelve 
manner  of  fruits,  and  bears  its  fruits  every  month, 
and  its  leaves  are  for  the  healing  of  the  nations ;  " 
which  mystically  points  at  Christ,  who  is  faithful  in 
his  precious  promises  and  doctrine,  and  has  virtue  in 
him,  which  through  faith  will  heal  the  nations  of  the 
wounds  which  sin  hath  given  them.  Those  who 
continually  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  shall  live  forever ; 
but  a  flaming  sword  will  turn  every  way,  to  keep  the 
unbelieving  sinner  from  it :  none  in  a  state  of  sin  and 
disobedience  can  come  to  enjoy  the  paradise  of  God. 
The  above  is  an  excellent  promise  to  all  those  who 
overcome  sin  and  the  devil,  who  is  the  author  of  it. 

Secondly;  To  the  church  of  Smyrna:  "He  that 
hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit 
saith  to  the  churches  :  He  that  overcometh  shall  not 
be  hurt  of  the  second  death : "  which  is  that  eternal 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  557 

death  which  is  in  hell,  or  that  lake  of  fire  which  burns 
forever,  where  the  worm   never  dieth,  and  the  fire 
never  goeth   out.     This  holy  warfare  is  certainly  a 
fighting  for  life,  against  eternal  death  and  hell ;  which 
s  of  much  greater  consequence  than  natural  life  and 
death.     Oh  !  fight  for  your  lives  against  sin  and  Satan, 
against  pride  and  vanity,  and  all  manner  of  wicked- 
ness; put  on  the  whole   armor  of  light;    look   unto 
God,  through  Christ  the  victorious  Lamb,  that  you 
may  be  saved  from  the  lake  of  fire,  and  not  be  hurt 
of  the  second  death.     Oh !    may  we  know  a  dying 
daily  to  sin,  to  the  world,  the  flesh  and  the  devil,  that 
we  may  live  unto  God,  through  faith  in  his  dear  Son 
Jesus  Christ. 

Thirdly ;  To  the  church  of  Pergamos :  "  He  that 
hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
to  the  churches :  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give 
to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna ;  and  I  will  give  a  white 
stone,  and  in  the  stone  a  new  name  written,  which 
no  man  knoweth,  saving  he  that  receiveth  it."  Here 
are  four  excellent  promises  to  him  that  overcometh ; 
the  Lord  opens  his  treasury  of  life  and  of  wisdom,  in 
order  to  invite  souls  to  the  mighty  battle  of  the  Lamb, 
who  is  not  like  the  princes  of  this  world,  who  some- 
times promise  great  things  to  their  soldiers  or  fol- 
lowers, and  do  not  perform ;  but  God's  promises  are 
all  yea  and  amen  forever. 

The  first  promise  is,  "  To  eat  of  the  hidden  manna : " 
the  children  of  Israel  did  eat  manna,  outwardly,  as  it 
is  written,  in  the  wilderness,  and  are  dead ;  but  those 

47* 


558  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

who  eat  of  this  hidden  manna,  this  angel's  food,  who 
are  hid  with  Christ  in  God,  these  shall  never  die,  i.  e., 
spiritually,  for  his  hidden  manna  is  the  flesh  and 
blood  of  the  Son  of  God,  who  said,  ".  Except  ye  eat 
my  flesh,  and  drink  my  blood,  ye  have  no  life  in  you." 

The  second  promise  is,  "  To  have  a  white  stone ; " 
this  stone  is  Christ,  who  is  the  chief  corner-stone  of 
God's  building  or  church,  the  New  Jerusalem,  which 
the  wise  letter-learned  master-builders  set  at  naught; 
but  he  is  the  head  of  the  saint's  building  or  corner, 
and  a  holy  precious  stone,  the  elect  or  chosen  of  God, 
the  gift  of  God,  to  all  those  who  truly  believe,  and 
overcome  sin,  as  he  did;  and  as  it  is  written,  "If  he 
give  us  his  Son,  shall  he  not  with  him  freely  give  us 
all  things?"  This  stone  will  certainly  do  miracles 
for  them  that  have  it,  through  the  virtue  of  its  power: 
it  will  procure  joy  in  tribulation,  patience  in  afflic- 
tions, health  in  sickness,  riches  in  poverty,  strength 
in  weakness,  liberty  in  bonds,  and,  to  sum  up  all, 
which  indeed  is  a  great  sum,  life  in  death. 

Third  promise ;  "  And  in  the  stone  a  new  name  : " 
how  many  gay  sparks  and  beaus  would  do  abundance 
to  gain  honor,  or  a  name  among  men?  No  thin  o-  is 
dear  to  them  in  this  world,  neither  their  estates,  nor 
the  nearest  relation  they  have  in  the  world,  so  that 
they  may  gain  a  name  here  below ;  no,  not  even  their 
own  lives.  But,  oh !  did  mortals  know  the  virtue  of 
this  new  name,  and  were  they  in  love  with  it,  then 
the  world  and  all  its  fading  beauty  and  vanity  would 
be   nothing   to   them  in  comparison  of  it,  which  is 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  559 

better  than  the  names  of  sons  of  worldly  glory,  and 
daughters  of  honor;  for  those  outward  names  are 
fading,  viz.*  To-day  a  king,  a  prince,  a  duke,  an  earl, 
a  lord,  a  knight,  and,  as  has  been  and  may  be  again, 
to-morrow  on  the  scaffold :  but  this  name  which  the 
King  of  kings  giveth  those  who  overcome  sin  and 
Satan,  is  a  name  which  will  outlast  time,  and  endure 
to  eternity. 

Fourth  promise  is,  that  it  should  be  secret,  only  to 
the  world,  but  surely  known  to  him  that  hath  it. 
Great  men,  when  their  acts  and  titles  of  honor  are 
blazoned  abroad  in  the  world,  have  many  enemies 
who  envy  them ;  and  yet  some  are  so  vain  as  to  love 
grandeur  and  popularity  notwithstanding;  but  he  that 
hath  a  name  which  Christ  gives,  so  long  as  he  is  sen- 
sible^ it  in  himself,  is  therewith  satisfied. 

Now  as  this  is  the  portion,  and  more  which  is* 
hereafter  mentioned,  of  those  who  overcome  the 
wicked  one,  then,  on  the  contrary,  what  will  become 
of  those  who  live  and  delight  in  sin,  and  are  daily 
overcome  with  it?  For  the  holy  Scriptures  are 
positive  "  That  the  wicked,  with  all  those  that  forget 
God,  shall  be  turned  into  hell."  This  is  the  determi- 
nate will  of  God ;  and  that  we  may  take  the  more 
notice  of  it,  to  observe  and  do  his  will,  he  hath  caused 
it  to  be  written  down  in  the  language  of  the  holy 
Spirit,  in  the  holy  Scriptures  of  truth,  which  are  of 
no  private  interpretation,  but  naked  and  open  to 
mean  capacities.  The  holy  Scriptures  are  not  to  be 
interpreted  to  the  private  interest  of  any  particular 


560  THE    JOURNAL   OF 

person  or  set  of  persons  only,  but  are  a  general  bene- 
fit unto  all  the  faithful  believers  and  followers  of 
Christ,  through  the  whole  world. 

Fourthly  ;  To  the  church  at  Thyatira :  "  And  he 
that  overcometh,  and  keepeth  my  works  unto  the  end, 
to  him  will  I  give  power  over  the  nations,  and  I  will 
give  him  the  morning  star.  He  that  hath  an  ear  to 
hear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the 
churches."  The  Spirit  still  continues  promising  his 
gracious  privileges  upon  condition  of  overcoming : 
wherefore,  if  it  had  been  impossible  to  have  overcome 
sin  and  Satan,  then  all  these  promises  would  have 
been  in  vain,  and  the  holy  Scriptures  deceiving,  which 
would  be  to  make  Christ  and  the  apostles  deceivers : 
but  Christ,  his  apostles,  and  the  holy  Scriptures,  are 
true,  and  every  one  who  contradicts  God,  is  a  liar. 

Let  it  be  observed,  that  there  must  be  a  keeping 
the  works  of  God  to  the  end ;  for  divers  have  run 
well  for  a  time,  and  overcome  many  sins,  through  the 
help  and  goodness  of  God,  and  yet  afterwards  have 
run  into  sin  again,  whereby  they  have  grieved  the 
good  spirit  of  God,  by  which  they  should  have  been 
sealed  to  the  day  of  redemption,  and  so  the  Lord 
hath  taken  his  good  spirit  and  gift  of  light  and  grace 
from  them,  and  left  them  to  themselves  and  their 
own  hearts'  lusts.  But  such  as  hold  out  in  well-doing 
to  the  end,  the  same  shall  be  saved,  and  "Those  shall 
have  power  over  the  nations  :  "  the  laws  of  men,  or 
powers  of  earth  or  hell,  cannot  hurt  them ;  but  they 
will  be  as  kings  and  priests  unto  God,  ruling  over 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  561 

their  own  spirits ;  and  such  an  one  is  greater  than 
one  that  ruleth  a  city,  and  cannot  govern  himself. 
Another  excellent  gift  is  promised  here  to  the  victo- 
rious Christian  warrior,  viz.,  "  I  will  give  him  the 
morning  star :  "  it  is  indeed  a  very  comfortable  gift 
to  behold  the  morning  star,  after  a  long,  tedious, 
stormy  night,  earnestly  waiting  for  the  morning. 
This  morning  star  the  writer  of  these  lines  hath  wit- 
nessed, both  as  to  his  natural  and  spiritual  travels ; 
bat  especially  in  his  inward  condition  as  a  Christian. 
Those  that  have  a  true  sigUt  and  sense  of  this  divine 
star,  are  made  to  rejoice ;  for  then  they  do  infallibly 
know,  that  the  day  of  the  Most  High  is  at  hand,  and 
that  his  kingdom  draws  near  unto  them.  Amen, 
holy.  Lord  Jesus  ! 

As  the  day  star  is  the  forerunner  of  the  natural 
day,  so  is  the  heavenly  morning  star  a  forerunner  of 
the  day  of  the  Most  High  to  the  soul. 

Fifthly ;  To  the  church  of  Sardis  :  "  He  that  over- 
come th  shall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment,  and  I  will 
not  blot  his  name  out  of  the  book  of  life;  but  I  will 
confess  him  before  my  Father,  and  before  his  angels. 
He  that  hath  an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear  what  the 
Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches."  These  promises  of 
God,  through  his  Spirit,  and  through  his  servant  to 
the  church  of  Sardis,  are,  that  those  who  overcome 
shall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment;  and  he  says,  in 
the  fourth  verse  of  the  same  chapter,  that  that  church 
had  a  few  in  her,  who  had  not  defiled  their  garments, 
who  should  walk  with  him  in  white,  for,  saith  he, 


» 
562  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

they  are  worthy.  So  that  there  were  a  few  undefiled 
ones  who  had  overcome ;  although  others  were  blam- 
able,  whom  the  Spirit  reproved  sharply.  But  those 
who  overcame  were  to  be  clothed  in  white  raiment; 
which  raiment  is  that  clean  linen  called  the  right- 
eousness of  the  saints,  or  elsewhere  the  wedding-gar- 
ment, and  the  garment  unspotted  of  the  world,  with- 
out having  which,  we  may  expect  to  be  asked,  how 
we  dare  presume  to  approach  the  holy  presence  of  a 
just  and  righteous  God,  who  is  of  purer  eyes  than  to 
behold  iniquity  with  allowance  or  approbation,  as  it 
is  written,  "  Friend,  how  earnest  thou  hither  not  hav- 
ing on  the  wedding-garment?  "  And  by  the  promise 
to  the  Church,  that  those  who  overcome  "  shall  not 
be  blotted  out  of  the  book  of  life,"  it  plainly  appears 
that  the  names  of  those  who  fight  the  Lamb's  battle, 
and  overcome  sin  and  Satan,  are  upon  record  in 
heaven  in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life ;  and  that  though 
we  may  have  done  well  or  valiantly  in  some  things, 
yet  if  we  suffer  ourselves  to  be  overcome  of  sin,  there 
is  danger  that  we  may  have  our  names  blotted  out 
of  the  book  of  life. 

The  third  promise  is  very  excellent  and  glorious, 
viz. :  "  But  I  will  confess  him  before  my  Father,  and 
before  his  angels."  Oh,  wonderful  honor !  to  have 
Christ  confess  that  we  are  his  and  belong  to  him,  and 
have  been  men  of  courage  in  this  holy  war,  and  over- 
come the  enemy,  and  been  victorious  in  this  fight  of 

aith ;  to  confess  us  before  God  and  his  angels,  must 
needs  be  unspeakable  honor  done  to  us  before  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  563 

armies  in  heaven.  He  expressed  again  his  often 
repeated  advice  to  those  who  have  ears,  saying,  "He 
that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
to  the  churches  ;  "  which  is  much  wanting  among 
men,  and  also  a  believing  heart.  Is  not  God,  Christ, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost  stronger  than  the  world,  the 
flesh,  and  the  devil  ?  But  is  not  this  belief  of  its 
being  impossible  to  overcome  sin,  and  saying  that  we 
cannot  do  it  while  we  are  in  this  world,  as  much  as 
to  believe  and  say,  that  Satan  and  nature  are  stronger 
than  grace  ? 

Sixthly  ;  To  the  Church  at  Philadelphia  the  Spirit 
saith :  "  Him  that  overcometh  will  I  make  a  pillar  in 
the  temple  of  my  God,  and  he  shall  go  no  more  out : 
and  I  will  write  upon  him  the  name  of  my  God,  and 
the  name  of  the  city  of  my  God,  etc.  He  that  hath 
an  ear  to  hear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
unto  the  churches."  Here  is  promise  upon  promise, 
all  to  persuade  and  invite  people  to  fight  the  fight  of 
faith,  believing  they  shall  obtain  the  victory,  and  to 
destroy  the  principle  of  unbelief.  The  overcomer, 
through  grace,  is  to  be  made  a  pillar  in  the  temple 
of  God ;  that  is,  one  of  his  church,  who  helps  to  sup- 
port the  credit  of  it,  through  a  true  Christian  repu- 
tation in  his  conversation.  Such  an  one  is  a  pillar 
in  the  church  militant  here  on  earth,  and  will,  if  he 
is  faithful  to  the  end,  be  of  the  church  triumphant  in 
heaven  also ;  and  he  will  not  go  out  any  more,  but 
will  abide  in,  and  with  Christ  forever.  Here  are 
gospel  promises  and  privileges,  happy  are  they  who 


564  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

through  faith  attain  thereto ;  how  much  have  Chris- 
tians med  to  be  concerned  before  God  for  the  excel- 
lent gift  of  faith,  since,  "  Without  faith  it  is  impos- 
sible to  please  God."  Our  Saviour  saith,  "If  ye  had 
faith  as  a  grain  of  mustard  seed,  ye  might  say  to  this 
mountain,  be  removed,  and  cast  into  the  sea,  and  it 
should  be  so."  Now,  though  sin  indeed  has  grown  a 
very  great  mountain,  in  this  generation,  yet  through 
true  faith  it  is  removed,  according  to  the  doctrine  of 
Christ,  blessed  be  his  holy  name.  Upon  those  over- 
comers,  the  Lord  hath  also  promised  to  "Write  the 
name  of  God,  and  the  name  of  the  city  of  God,  which 
is  New  Jerusalem,  which  cometh  down  from  heaven," 
which  is  the  mother  of  all  saints.  Here  is  a  train  of 
glorious  expressions  and  promises,  enough  to  inspire 
the  tender  soul  with  strong  desires  after  God  and 
Christ,  and  his  kingdom.  My  heart  is  deeply  af- 
fected at  this  time,  in  the  sense  of  the  love  of  our 
heavenly  Father ;  and  my  spirit  is  greatly  concerned 
for  the  welfare  of  the  children  of  men,  my  fellow- 
mortals.  Oh !  that  they  might  believe,  and  that 
believing  they  might  have  life,  through  the  name  of 
Christ.  It  is  observable,  that  to  overcome,  is  the 
condition  of  obtaining  all  these  great  and  glorious 
promises;  and  overcoming  is  repeated  seven  times; 
once  to  every  church.  And  after  all  those  glorious 
and  fair  promises,  is  not  the  consequence  of  saying  or 
believing  that  sin  and  Satan  cannot  be  overcome,  to 
make  Christ  a  deceiver  ?  which  is  absurd  and  anti- 
christian  doctrine. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  565 

Seventhly;  To  the  church  of  Laodicea:  "To  ir'm 
that  overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me  in  my 
throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame  and  am  set  down 
with  my  Father  in  his  throne.  He  that  hath  an  ear 
to  hear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the 
churches."  What  greater  promise  could  Christ  make 
to  his  church  than  this,  to  take  her  into  his  throne, 
and  into  his  Father's  kingdom,  into  his  bosom  of 
love?  This  is  wonderful  indeed.  But  then,  oh, 
Christian !  the  condition  is  to  overcome,  as  Christ 
overcame. 

Now  since  it  may  be  beneficial  to  Christians  to 
understand,  and  to  consider  duly  this  great  fight  or 
battle,  and  how  this  great  conqueror  overcame,  be- 
cause we  are  to  follow  him,  and  to  take  him  for  our 
example,  let  us  have  a  description  of  it,  it  being  the 
greatest  encounter  or  battle  that  ever  was  in  the 
world,  between  the  Prince  of  life  and  the  king  of  the 
bottomless  pit.     The  history  of  which  is  worth  the 
reading  of  the  greatest  prince  or  monarch  on  earth, 
since  they  must  leave  this  low  world,  and  lay  down 
all  their  crowns  when  death  calls  them.     To  fight 
this  battle,  and  to  follow  this  monarch,  who  hath  all 
divine  power  in  heaven  and  earth,  and  to  take  his 
direction,  is  every  man's  duty  and  interest,  both  noble 
and   ignoble.      The   holy  evangelists,    Matthew  and 
Luke,  give  us  an  account  of  this  great  fight,  in  the 
fourth  chapter  of  Matthew,  and  fourth  chapter  of 
Luke,  and  agree  in  the  most  weighty  matters,  though 
they  did  not  exactly  word  it  alike,  yet  the  substance 
48 


566  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

is  the  same,  and  the  temptation,  conflict,  or  battle, 
all  one.  First,  Satan  bids  Christ,  as  Matthew  and 
Luke  have  it,  "Command  the  stones,  or  stone  to 
become  bread."  Secondly,  "To  cast  himself  down 
from  the  pinnacle  of  the  temple."  Thirdly,  "To 
worship  the  devil,  or  fall  down  to  him." 

"  Then  was  Jesus  led  up  of  the  spirit  into  the  wil- 
derness, to  be  tempted  of  the  devil."  And  when  he 
had  fasted  forty  days  and  forty  nights,  he  was  after- 
wards an  hungered.  And  when  the  tempter  came  to 
him,  he  said,  "  If  thou  be  the  Son  of  God,  command 
that  these  stones  be  made  bread."  But  he,  i.  e.\ 
Christ,  answered  and  said,  It  is  written,  man  shall, 
or  doth,  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every  word 
that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  Then  the 
devil  taketh  him  up  into  the  holy  city,  and  setteth 
him  on  a  pinnacle  of  the  temple,  and  saith  unto  him, 
"  If  thou  be  the  Son  of  God,  cast  thyself  down :  for 
it  is  written,  He  shall  give  his  angels  charge  concern- 
ing thee  ;  and  in  their  hands  they  shall  bear  thee  up, 
lest  at  any  time  thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone." 
Jesus  said  unto  him,  It  is  written  again,  "  Thou  shalt 
not  tempt  the  Lord  thy  God."  "Again,  the  devil 
taketh  him  up  into  an  exceeding  high  mountain,  and 
showeth  him  all  the  kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  the 
glory  of  them ;  and  saith  unto  him,  All  these  things 
will  I  give  thee,  if  thou  wilt  fall  down  and  worship 
me.  Then  saith  Jesus  unto  him,  Get  thee  hence, 
Satan ;  for  it  is  written,  Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord 
thy  God,  and  him  only  shalt  thou  serve.     Then  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  567 

devil  leaveth  him,  and  behold,  angels  came  and  min- 
istered unto  him." 

Behold  how  the  Saviour  of  the  world  overcame 
the  devil  and  his  temptations.  As  he  did,  so  ought 
all  Christians  to  resist  the  tempter,  as  it  is  written, 
"Resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  flee  from  you."  Here 
we  may  see  he  is  a  conquered  enemy;  and  we  are 
told,  "  By  Christ's  spirit  we  must  overcome,  as  he 
also  overcame."  After  our  Lord  had  fasted  forty 
days  and  forty  nights,  he  was  hungry,  at  which  time 
the  devil  urged  him,  if  he  was  the  Son  of  God,  to 
make  the  stone  or  stones  bread.  After  the  same 
manner  he  tempts  us  poor  mortals,  by  laying  his 
snares  and  baiting  his  hooks,  according  to  the  nature 
and  propensity  of  the  person  he  is  engaged  withal. 
If  a  man,  woman,  or  child  be  addicted  to  passion, 
pride,  swearing,  lying,  drunkenness,  taking  the  sacred 
name  in  vain,  idle  or  vain  discourses  to  steal  away 
our  precious  time ;  let  the  sin  be  what  it  will,  which 
we  are  most  naturally  addicted  to,  there  will  he  lay 
his  temptations,  for  he  preys  upon  our  weakness, 
and  plies  the  weakest  part  in  us  most.  For  this  rea- 
son we  have  need  to  keep  a  strict  watch ;  as  Christ 
advised,  "  Watch  and  pray  continually,  lest  ye  enter 
into  temptation."  It  is  no  sin  to  be  tempted,  but  the 
sin  is  to  entertain  and  enter  into  the  temptation;  if 
we  overcome,  as  Christ  did,  it  is  an  honor  to  be 
tempted,  and  a  secret  joy  springs  in  the  soul,  in  a 
sense  of  fcs  victory  in  sore  conflicts  between  the 
enemy  and  the  soul ;  the  Lord  manifesting  his  divine 


568  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

grace  for  our  assistance  and  help.  Here  we  can  take 
the  advice  of  the  apostle,  when  he  says,  "  Count  it 
all  joy  when  ye  fall  into  diyers  temptations,"  and 
overcome  them  as  Christ  did,  by  resistance. 

If  it  be  objected,  though  Christ  overcame,  yet  I  am 
a  poor  sinful  creature,  and  have  no  power;  but  he 
had  and  hath  all  power,  both  in  heaven  and  earth, 
committed  into  his  hands,  so  that  he  might  well  over- 
come. It  is  well  if  thou  seest  thou  hast  no  power, 
and  if  thou  also  seest  that  Christ  hath  all  power; 
then  since  we  have  no  power  of  ourselves,  we  must 
by  prayer  and  humble  supplication  apply  to  him  for 
it  in  the  time  of  need ;  believing  that  He  who  hath 
made  so  many  encouraging  promises  as  are  before 
recited,  hath  also  grace,  and  will  give  grace  and 
glory,  and  power  to  those  who  will  diligently  seek 
him ;  else  why  did  he  make  so  many  excellent  promises 
to  the  spiritual  warriors  ?  It  is  worthy  the  notice  of 
all,  that  Satan  is  a  conquered  and  limited  adversary. 

It  is  a  sweet  portion  of  gospel  tidings,  and  good 
news,  that  the  devil  cannot  force  any  one,  whether 
he  will  or  not,  into  sin  ;  for  if  he  could,  r.-o  flesh  could 
be  saved.  If  a  man,  woman,  or  child  is  tempted  by 
Satan  to  tell  a  lie,  he  cannot  force  them  to  it  against 
their  will ;  so  that  there  must  be  a  cowardly  giving 
way  and  falling  from  the  Lamb's  standard,  or  ensign, 
and  going  over  to  Satan,  if  man  is  overcome  of  sin 
and  wickedness.  For  if  we  stand  stiffly  against  him, 
although  we  may  be  weak  of  ourselves,  our  great 
Master,  who  seeth  us  in  secret,  if  we  cry  to  him  for 


THOMAS  CHALKLEY.  569 

help,  will  come  to  our  assistance,  even  lie  whom  Satan 
could  never  conquer.  Therefore  it  is  safe  for  all  pro- 
fessing the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  to  keep  near  to  him, 
through  faith  in  his  name  and  power,  which  ever  was 
and  will  be,  a  strong  tower  to  those  who  fly  thereto. 
Christ  did  not  do  as  the  devil  tempted  or  persuaded 
him  to  do ;  but  he  withstood  the  temptation,  with  this 
reply,  "  It  is  written,  that  man  lives  not  by  bread 
alone,  but  by  every  word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the 
mouth  of  God : "  for  there  is  life  in  every  word  of 
God.  Thus  our  Lord  overcame  him;  for  Satan  cannot 
resist,  so  as  to  make  void,  or  lay  waste  the  words  of 
God  in  the  holy  Scriptures  of  truth,  when  they  are 
brought  into  our  minds  by  his  spirit,  to  uphold  and 
promote  the  kingdom  of  God  and  Christ,  and  to  de- 
stroy the  kingdom  of  sin  and  Satan ;  though  he,  i.  e., 
the  devil,  makes  use  of  those  Sacred  Writings,  often 
wresting  them,  and  bringing  them  for  evil  uses  and 
wrong  purposes,  as  most  certainly  he  doth  when  he 
allegeth  from  them,  that  people  cannot  live  otherwise 
than  in  sin. 

"  Then,"  as  Matthew  has  it,  "  he  took  our  Lord  to 
the  pinnacle  of  the  temple,  and  bid  him  cast  himself 
down;  for,"  says  Satan,  "it  is  written,  he  shall  give 
his  angels  charge  concerning  thee,  lest  at  any  time 
thou  dash  thy  foot  against  a  stone."  Though  he  was 
once  overcome,  yet  he  has  boldness  to  tempt  again  :  as 
Christ  overcame  him  by  his  power,  making  use  of 
the  holy  Scriptures,  he  now  tries  what  he  can  do 

with  the  Scriptures;  he  tempts  Christ  with  them, 
48* 


570  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

that  he  might  tempt  his  Father;  and  so  he  tempts 
poor  mortals  by  the  Scriptures,  to  keep  them  in  sin, 
by  making  a  wrong  use  of  them,  and  misapplying 
them ;  and  if  he  can  hold  them  in  sin,  he  knows  it  is 
a  ready  way  to  cause  the  Almighty  to  be  angry  with 
them ;  and  if  they  hold  out  in  it  to  the  end,  to  turn 
them  at  last  into  hell,  where  the  wicked  must  be 
turned.  He  begins  his  temptations  with  an  "  If  thou 
be  the  Son  of  God,"  though  he  knew  very  well  that 
he  was  the  Son  of  God ;  yet  like  some  of  his  evil  seed, 
or  seed  of  evil  doers,  he  tempted  him  to  show  a  sign ; 
but  our  Lord  did  not  gratify  either  him  or  them,  but 
rebuked  them  both,  as  they  well  deserved ;  and  so  by 
denial  and  resistance  he  overcame ;  and  we  also  must 
in  the  same  way. 

After  this  our  Lord  makes  a  right  use  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, saying,  "  It  is  written  again,  Thou  shalt  not 
tempt  the  Lord  thy  God."  And  truly,  those  who 
read  the  holy  Scriptures,  and  know  how  much  they 
speak  against  sin,  and  for  righteousness,  and  who 
notwithstanding  live  in  sin  and  ungodliness,  and 
plead  for  it,  even  from  these  Sacred  "Writings,  which 
were  written  on  purpose  to  destroy  sin,  should  seri- 
ously consider,  whether  they  are  not  guilty  of  tempt- 
ing God,  which  Christ  says  it  is  written  thou  shalt 
not  do.  Oh  !  that  people  would  turn  away  from  sin 
and  Satan,  and  break  off  from  their  sins  by  repentance, 
and  their  iniquities  by  amendment  of  life,  which  is 
the  way  to  have  the  days  of  their  tranquillity  length- 
ened out  in  this  world,  and  to  be  happy  in  that  which 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  571 

is  without  end ;  for  it  is  written,  "  The  wicked  do  not 
live  out  half  their  days;"  which,  according  to  my 
observation,  is  a  true  general  rule.  How  many  Lave 
been  taken  off  in  their  prime  and  strength,  and  in  the 
flower  of  their  years,  who  might,  according  to  the 
course  of  nature,  have  lived  many  years,  had  they 
been  sober  and  temperate,  and  lived  in  the  fear  of 
God  ?  If  it  be  asked,  do  not  pious  young  people  die 
also  ?  Yes ;  but  not  so  frequently  as  intemperate 
ones ;  I  have  had  occasion  to  observe  it  in  divers 
parts  of  the  world ;  and  besides,  if  pious  young  people 
leave  this  world,  their  change  is  glorious :  whereas 
the  wicked  and  ungodly  make  a  sad  and  bitter  ex- 
change. Since  life  is  so  uncertain,  and  death  so  sure 
and  certain  to  all,  what  care  and  fear  ought  there  to 
be  on  all,  of  offending  so  merciful  a  God,  and  so  sweet 
a  Saviour ;  who  overcame,  to  show  us  the  way  to 
overcome  also ;  and  died  for  sin,  that  we  might  die 
to  the  world  and  the  sinful  part  of  it,  and  live  to  him, 
exhorting  us  to  overcome,  as  he  also  did,  and  then 
promiseth  to  take  us  for  his  companions,  with  himself 
and  his  Father,  in  his  heavenly  kingdom. 

Satan  repeats  his  temptation  a  third  time ;  for  he 
is  an  unwearied  enemy,  and  will  tempt  poor  mortals 
over  and  over,  many  times ;  but  he  is  to  be  resisted 
as  often  as  he  tempts,  if  we  will  follow  the  counsel 
and  example  of  Christ:  "He  takes  him  up  into  an 
exceeding  high  mountain,  and  showeth  him  all  the 
kingdoms  of  the  world,  and  the  glory  of  it."  A 
temptation  which  takes  with  abundance  of  souls :  the 


572  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

glory,  riches,  and  greatness  of  this  world,  ruin  many; 
they  having  it,  and  being  swelled  with  pride  therein. 
Some  are  destroying  themselves  to  get  it,  and  cannot 
attain  it ;  and  many  would  endeavor  to  create  a  belief 
that  they  are  greater,  richer,  and  more  noble  than 
they  really  are ;  which  is  a  temptation  of  the  evil 
one ;  for  we  ought  to  think  meanly  of  ourselves ;  and 
if  we  will  follow  Christ's  example,  make  ourselves  of 
no  reputation.  When  Satan  would  tempt  us  to  be 
proud,  or  high  of  mind,  we  should  resist,  as  Christ 
did,  who  said  to  the  devil,  "  Get  thee  behind  me, 
Satan,  for  it  is  written,  Thou  shalt  worship  the  Lord 
thy  God,  and  him  only  shalt  thou  serve."  If  this 
holy  rule  was  followed,  as  Christ  instituted  it,  then 
we  should  overcome  sin  and  Satan  :  Christ's  institu- 
tion is,  that  "  The  hour  cometh,  and  now  is,  that 
those  that  worship  the  Father,  must  worship  him  in 
spirit  and  in  truth."  The  duty  of  every  Christian  is 
to  worship  the  Lord  God  of  heaven  and  earth,  and 
he  only  we  should  serve  and  worship ;  and  that  not 
in  a  formal  way,  but  with  hearts  truly  devoted  to  his 
will.  We  are  to  worship  the  Father  in  spirit  and  in 
truth,  into  which  the  devil  can  never  come ;  though 
he  may  get  into  the  form  of  it,  he  cannot  overcome 
us,  where  the  power  of  Christ  is  lived  in ;  for  by  the 
power  of  God,  which  dwells  in  Christ,  who  overcame 
by  the  same  power,  Christians  shall  overcome.  The 
devil  was  forced  to  fly  when  Christ  resisted  him,  and 
so  he  will  be  when  Christians  resist  him  in  Christ: 
and  when  Christ  had  overcome,  then  the  angels  came 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  573 

and  ministered  unto  him;  likewise  the  guardian  angel 
of  God's  presence  will  administer  sweet  comfort  and 
pleasure  to  every  soul  who  stands  truly  for  the  cause 
of  God  and  Christ  against  sin  and  Satan,  sincerely 
endeavoring  to  pull  down  Satan's  kingdom,  and  sin 
which  upholds  it,  and  faithfully  desire  to  exalt  the 
kingdom  of  God  and  his  dear  Son. 

He  or  she  that  believes  and  overcomes, —  for  with- 
out belief  it  is  impossible  to  overcome,  —  is  truly 
entitled  to  all  the  above  precious  promises  and  privi- 
leges. But  the  wrath  of  God  will  be  revealed  from 
heaven  against  all  ungodliness  and  unrighteousness 
of  men,  and  against  all  those  who  hold  the  truth 
in  self-righteousness,  or  unrighteousness.  Again, 
"  Tribulation  and  anguish  upon  every  soul  of  man 
that  doeth  evil,  of  the  Jew  first,  and  also  of  the 
Gentile ;  but  glory,  honor,  and  peace  to  every  man 
that  worketh  good,  to  the  Jew  first,  and  also  to  the 
Gentile  ;  for  there  is  no  respect  of  persons  with  God." 
The  ways  of  God  are  equal,  but  the  ways  of  man  and 
Satan  are  unequal ;  sin,  iniquity,  and  transgression 
are  of  the  devil,  and  of  man  in  the  fall ;  but  right- 
eousness, holiness,  and  truth  are  of  God,  to  which 
man  is  restored,  through  regeneration  and  reforma- 
tion. Glory  over  all  be  given  to  God  and  the  Lamb 
forever.     Amen. 


574  THE   JOURNAL    OP 


Some  Considerations  on  the  Call,  Work,  and  Wages 
of  the  Ministers  of  Christ. 

It  hath  been  on  my  mind  to  write  something  con- 
cerning the  work  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ,  with  a  design  of  instruction  to  ministers  in 
particular,  and  also  for  the  benefit  of  others. 

It  is  an   unspeakable  benefit   to    mankind,  to  be 
favored  with  a  powerful  living  ministry,  which  edifies 
the  church  of  God,  and  builds  up  the  true  believers 
in  the  most  holy  faith,  according  to  the  word  of  God, 
in  Christ  Jesus,  who  is  the  great  minister  of   the 
sanctuary  and  true  tabernacle,  which  God  hath  pitched 
and  not  man.      This  great  Minister  sent  forth  his 
ministers  and  servants,  saying,  "  I  send  you  forth  as 
sheep  among  wolves,  be  ye  therefore  wise  as  serpents, 
and  harmless  as  doves."     He  did  not  send  them  forth 
as  lords  over  his  heritage,  nor  as  persecuting  priests, 
or  mercenary  hirelings  ;  but  said  to  them,  "  Freely  ye 
have  received,  freely  give."     No  compulsion  or  force 
is  enjoined  by  Christ;  but  it  is  plain,  from  his  own 
doctrine   and   example,  that  his   ministry  is  a  free 
ministry,  blessed  be  his  holy  name  and  truth  forever : 
nor  do  we  read  or  understand  of  any  alteration  thereof 
by  Christ.     The  ministers  of  antichrist  have  made  an 
alteration  in  their  ministry;  but  the  holy  apostles,  who, 
after  Christ,  were  the  first  planters  of  Christianity  in 
the  earth,  when  it  shone  in  its  primitive  beauty  and 
gl  >ry,  followed  the  counsel  of  their  Lord  and  Master, 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  575 

and  ministered  freely.  Then  was  the  power  of  Christ's 
ministry  and  gospel,  through  his  ministers  and  ser- 
vants, great,  and  the  glory  and  beauty  thereof  ravishing 
to  pious  souls.  Oh  !  may  every  true  minister  and  every 
sensible  soul,  bow  before  the  Most  High,  and  bless  the 
holy  name  of  Him  that  lives  and  reigns  forever,  for 
this  unspeakable  gift  of  Christ's  holy  ministry,  which 
always  was,  now  is,  and  ever  will  be,  convincing  and 
converting  to  souls  who  are  not  slow  in  heart  to  be- 
lieve in  God,  and  in  his  dear  Son,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  is  our  great  high-priest  and  the  bishop 
of  souls ;  he  saw  the  need  that  his  church  had  of  his 
ministry,  and  therefore  he  established  it  among  his 
followers  to  the  end  of  time. 

In  order  to  this  great  work,  he  told  his  disciples, 
w"hen  he  was  going  into  his  glory  and  to  the  kingdom 
of  his  Father,  "  That  he  would  pray  to  the  Father, 
and  he  would  send  them  another  comforter,  the  Spirit 
of  Truth,  and  that  he  should  abide  with  them  for 
ever."  He  also  told  them,  that  when  he  is  come,  he 
shall  reprove  or  convince  the  world  of  sin,  because 
they  believe  not  in  him ;  for  if  they  believed  truly  in 
Christ,  they  would  love  his  spiritual  appearance.  But 
how  many  are  there  in  the  world,  who  slight  this 
high  favor,  the  grace  of  God  and  Christ,  calling  this 
wonderful  gift  the  light  of  nature  :  whereas  Christ 
says  it  is  the  Holy  Ghost ;  and  the  apostle  Paul  says, 
It  is  God's  grace  that  teaches  us  to  deny  ungodliness, 
and  hath  appeared  unto  all  men.  0  !  that  the  chil- 
dren of  men  might  love  Him  who  appears  to  them, 


576  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  convinceth  them  of  their  sins ;  and  surely  it  is  a 
great  sin  not  to  believe  in  the  spirit  and  light  of 
Christ :  such  unbelieving  souls  are  in  darkness,  and 
not  yet  turned  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  to  the  power  of  God,  which  is  the 
very  work  Christ's  ministers  are  sent  of  God  to  do. 

Second ;  He  convinceth  or  reproveth  the  world  of 
righteousness,  because  "  I  go  to  the  Father  and  ye 
see  me  no  more."  When  their  righteousness  is  only 
wrought  in  the  wisdom  of  man,  and  not  by  the  power  , 
of  God,  whether  it  be  in  preaching  or  worship,  when 
only  the  form,  and  not  the  power  is  witnessed,  he 
then  convinceth  them  that  they  have  been  building 
their  religion  upon  a  wrong  bottom,  and  a  sandy 
foundation ;  and  showeth  the  formal  minister,  that  he 
is  only  a  minister  of  the  letter,  and  not  of  the  spirit ; 
and  the  formal  worshipper,  that  he  has  not  yet  come 
to  worship  in  spirit  and  truth  ;  and  the  professor  of 
Christ  in  words,  that  he  denieth  him  in  works  and 
inward  faith;  because  "Faith  without  works  is 
dead,"  as  works  without  this  spiritual  faith  are 
dead   also. 

"Because  I  go  to  the  Father,"  is  the  reason  given 
by  Christ,  for  it  is  Christ's  righteousness  that  must 
save  the  soul,  and  Christ  being  gone  to  the  Father, 
the  soul  must  go  there  to  him,  for  all  his  gifts  and 
favors,  mercies  and  blessings,  and  must  witness  him 
in  spirit  to  be  with  them  and  in  them,  as  he  is  in  the 
Father.  When  Christ  was  personally  on  earth,  he 
taught  us  by  words  vocally  expressed ;  but  "  Hence- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  577 

I 

forth  know  we  him  so  no  more."  Now  he  teacheth 
us .  by  his  spirit,  light,  and  life,  which  convinceth  us 
of  form  without  power,  letter  without  spirit,  religion 
without  life,  righteousness  without  grace,  and  light 
and  imputative  righteousness  without  actual  right- 
eousness, and  formal  righteousness  in  our  own  wills 
only ;  all  this,  and  much  more,  it  convinceth  us  not 
to  be  effectual  to  salvation,  and  showeth  us  that  the 
spiritual  power  and  presence  of  Christ  are  absolutely 
necessary  for  the  work  of  the  ministry  and  the  con- 
version of  souls. 

Third;  He  convinceth  the  world  of  judgment,  be- 
cause the  prince  of  this  world  is  judged.  He,  the 
Comforter,  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  when  he  is  come, 
showeth  us  our  wrong  judgment,  and  convinceth  us 
of  the  evil  of  being  too  censorious,  rash  and  unchari- 
table in  judging,  and  plainly  giveth  us  to  understand 
that  such  judgment  is  from  the  prince  of  this  world, 
who  is  king  over  all  the  children  of  pride,  and  that 
this  prince  or  evil  spirit  is  judged  by  the  righteous 
and  just  Judge  of  heaven  and  earth,  Christ  Jesus. 
He  also  convinceth  us  of  the  everlasting  truth  as  it 
is  in  Jesus,  and  is  our  sure  comforter,  while  we  keep 
therein  in  doctrine,  worship,  and  conversation. 

Fourth  ;  "  He  shall  bring  all  things  to  your  reraera- 
brance,  whatsoever  I  have  spoken  unto  you."  Where- 
fore this  gift  is  absolutely  necessary  for  a  minister  of 
Christ;  and  every  true  believer  in  him  wants  this 
remembrancer,  which  must  be  a  great"  comfort  to  us, 

to  have   his   excellent  speeches  and  divine  doctrine 
49  * 


578  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

brought  by  his  own  spirit  to  our  remembi ance,  if  we 
love  him  in  sincerity. 

Fifth ;  "  He  shall  take  of  mine,  and  shall  show  it 
unto  you,"  says  Christ.  Take  of  his  light,  his  life 
his  grace,  his  wisdom,  his  mercy,  peace  and  truth 
and  show  it  unto  you.  Oh,  infinite  love  from  a  tendei 
Saviour !  Well  may  we  admire  his  goodness,  and 
entirely  love  him  above  all  things  in  the  world. 

Sixth ;  Christ  speaks  in  divers  places  concerning 
this  wonderful  and  extraordinary  gift  of  the  holy 
Spirit ;  and  in  the  fourteenth  chapter  of  John  he 
says,  "  I  will  pray  the  Father,  and  he  shall  give  you 
another  Comforter,  that  he  may  abide  with  you  for- 
ever ;  even  the  Spirit  of  Truth,  whom  the  world  can- 
not receive,  because  it  seeth  him  not,  neither  knoweth 
him :  but  ye  know  him,  for  he  dwelleth  with  you,  and 
shall  be  in  you."  Oh  !  ye  ministers  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  in  this  his  gift  is  your  strength,  your  comfort, 
and  your  exceeding  great  reward,  both  here  and  here- 
after, forever;  far  exceeding  silver  and  gold,  or  the 
diadems  of  princes.  The  whole  world,  wanting  this, 
lieth  in  wickedness,  and  must  lie  there  unavoidably, 
if  they  have  not  the  sense  of  this  unspeakable  gift. 
There  cannot  be  salvation,  nor  any  saving  ministry 
without  it;,  it  being  absolutely  needful  to  the  being 
and  well-being  of  a  minister  of  Christ.  And  indeed 
the  holy  text  is  plain  and  positive,  that  he  that  hath 
not  the  spirit  of  Christ  is  none  of  his ;  none  of  his 
minister,  none  of  his  believer.  But  if  it  should  be 
objected,  how  shall  we  know  the  minister  or  the  man 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  579 

■*  ^0  ^aih  tliis  divine  gift,  or  Spirit  of  Christ,  since  it 
may  "be  pietended  to  both  by  the  ministers  and  peo- 
ple, and  yet  they  may  not  have  it  in  reality  ?  This 
indeed  is  a  great  point,  and  highly  necessary  to  be 
searched  into,  which  is  to  be  known  by  our  Lord's 
rule  prescribed  for  that  end.  "  Do  men,"  saith  he, 
"  gather  grapes  of  thcrns,  or  figs  of  thistles  ?  "  Surely 
no.  The  grape  is  gathered  from  the  vine,  and  the 
fig  from  the  fig-tree.  "  Wherefore  by  their  fruits  ye 
shall  know  them."  Now  those  who  have  the  Spirit, 
or  Holy  Ghost,  bring  forth  the  fruits  of  it:  which 
fruits  are  love,  charity,  meekness,  temperance,  pa- 
tience, experience,  hope,  faith,  and  wisdom  from  above, 
which  is  pure  and  peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be 
entreated,  to  all  and  everything  that  is  good.  And 
those  who  have  the  holy  Spirit,  bring  forth  the  fruits 
of  it  as  naturally  as  the  vine  doth  the  grape,  or  the 
fig-tree  the  fig.  Also,  whatsoever  things  are  holy, 
just,  honest,  pure,  and  of  good  report,  or  tend  to  piety 
or  virtue :  in  a  word,  everything  that  is  good,  is  the 
fruit  of  the  Spirit  of  God  and  Christ :  and  they  are 
brought  forth  with  divine  life  and  power  in  that 
minister  and  people,  who  through  true  faith  in  the 
blessed  Jesus  have  received  the  gift  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  or  Spirit  of  Christ. 

The  minister  of  the  gospel  being  thus  fitly  furnished 
to  every  good  word  and  work,  is  ready  to  answer  the 
call  of  his  great  Lord  and  Master,  who  is  in  heaven  ; 
he  wants  not  the  call  of  man,  nor  authority  from  man, 
nor  wages  of  man.     But  those  who  bring  forth  fruits 


580  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

contrary  to  the  above,  can  neither  be  true  ministers, 
nor  Christians,  according  to  the  doctrine  of  our  holy 
Lord.  Being  thus  qualified  by  the  Most  High,  those 
ministers  are  freely  given  up  to  serve  the  Lord,  and 
go  wheresoever  he  is  pleased  to  send  them,  though  he 
send  them  as  sheep  among  wolves :  and  it  is  worth 
noting,  that  Christ's  messengers  and  ministers  are 
called  and  sent  of  him  ;  they  do  not  run  of  themselves, 
nor  in  their  will ;  which  if  they  did,  their  end  would 
be  like  the  forward  false  prophets  of  old,  who  did  not 
profit  the  people  at  all. 

Our  Lord  seeing  what  need  the  world  had  of  true 
teaching,  and  true  teachers,  sends  his  ministers  forth 
into  it,  saying,  "  All  power  is  given  unto  me  in  heaven 
and  in  earth,  go  ye  therefore  and  teach  all  nations, 
baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the 
Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost :  teaching  them  to  observe 
all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  you:  and 
lo,  I  am  with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world." 

Here  Christ  shows  his  ministers  his  power,  and 
sends  them  forth  in  his  own  name,  for  there  is  none 
other  given  under  heaven  for  salvation ;  and  Christ 
comforts  his  ministers  with  a  glorious  promise,  of 
beino-  with  them  to  the  end  of  the  world.     Oh,  the 

O 

sweetness  of  this  gracious  promise !  and  such  are  all 
his  promises,  for  they  are  yea,  and  amen,  forever. 
Wherefore  Christ's  ministers  may  well  go  forth  with- 
out doubting,  having  their  authority  from  the  King 
of  kings.     Again  he  saith,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world, 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  581 

and  preach  the  gospel  unto  every  creature.  He  that 
believeth,  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved ;  but  he  that 
believeth  not,  shall  be  damned."  Christ  says,  go; 
but  the  world,  the  flesh,  and  the  devil,  say,  stay ;  for 
the  spirit  of  sin  and  Satan  is  for  obstructing  the  work 
of  Christ,  and  hindering  the  free  gospel  ministry,  and 
the  motions  of  the  word  and  testimony  of  Jesus ;  and 
is  for  quenching  it  in  those  in  whom  it  may  appear. 
It  is  a  new  mode  or  fashion,  contrary  to  the  primitive 
order  of  Christ,  for  ministers  to  be  tied  to  an  outward 
benefit,  or  a  particular  meeting  or  congregation ; 
which  way  of  preaching,  or  reading,  reading  being 
much  in  practice  now,  is  quite  contrary  to  the  call 
and  practice  of  Christ  and  his  ministers,  and  of  the 
martyrs,  and  confessors  of  Jesus ;  as  also  of  many  of 
the  most  noted  reformers  in  religion.  But  it  is  ob- 
jected, if  ministers  should  always  go  about  among  the 
nations,  what  would  become  of  their  families,  or  how 
must  they  live,  and  be  maintained  ?  To  which  it  may 
be  answered,  that  when  the  ministers  of  our  Lord 
returned  to  their  Master,  he  asked  them,  "  If  they 
lacked  anything?"  they  answered,  "No."  But  in- 
stead of  lacking  anything,  the  devils  were  subject  to 
them.  Pray,  let  the  serious  Christian  consider,  here 
is  now  a  wonderful  change.  Is  it  in  Christ,  or  in  the 
hireling,  money -loving  priest  ?  It  is  certainly  in  the 
man  and  not  in  Christ  Jesus ;  for  he  is  the  same  to- 
day, yesterday,  and  forever.  Where  the  power  of 
Christ  rules,  there  the  devil  and  his  power  must  of 
necepsity  be  subject. 
49* 


582  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

But  some  object,  that  people  are  not  so  free  now ; 
were  there  not  a  law  to  maintain  ministers,  the  min- 
isters might  starve  and  perish  in  this  generation ;  if 
so,  then  their  ministry  must  starve  the  people's  souls. 
But  this  thought  of  starving  is  for  want  of  the  gift 
of  God  and  power  of  Christ;  which  power  in  the 
ministry  would  wonderfully  open  people's  hearts  to- 
wards God,  and  those  who  are  his  true  servants; 
who  said,  "Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give." 
Oh !  faithless  generation !  what,  shall  we  mistrust 
Him  who  provides  for  all  his  creatures,  even  the 
ravens  and  sparrows,  and  will  he  not  much  more 
provide  for  his  servants  and  ministers  ?  How  shall 
we  receive  power  from  on  high,  if  we  want  faith,  and 
cannot  depend  on  the  providential  hand  of  God  ? 

Christ  sends  his  ministers  into  the  world  in  order  to 
propagate  his  gospel  of  salvation,  and  to  let  the  world 
know  that  he  is  come  to  put  an  end  to  sin,  and  bring 
life  and  peace  to  the  soul,  according  to  the  angel's 
testimony  of  him,  that  "  His  name  shall  be  called 
Jesus,"  which  is  a  Saviour,  "for  he  shall  save  his 
people  from  their  sins."  The  apostles  of  Christ  also, 
according  to  their  holy  commission,  declared,  that 
"God  hath  sent  his  Son  to  bless  us,  in  turning  us 
from  the  evil  of  our  ways."  But  that  doctrine  must 
certainly  be  opposite  to  this  of  the  angels  of  Christ 
and  of  his  disciples,  which  teacheth  that  we  must 
live  in  sin  while  on  this  side  the  grave,  and  that 
there  is  no  being  free  from  it  while  we  are  in  tho 
world;    though  Christ   himself  came  for   that  very 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY  583 

purpose,  to  put  an  end  to  it,  to  save  us  from  it,  and 
to  bring  into  the  world  everlasting  righteousness ;  as 
is  that  doctrine  which  maintains  that  no  perfection 
can  be  attained  to  in  this  life  ;  though  Christ  says, 
"  Be  ye  perfect,  as  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven  is 
perfect ; "  as  he  is  perfect  in  fulness,  so  are  we  to  be 
perfect,  according  to  the  measure  of  grace  received. 
This  faith  and  belief  are  much  wanting  in  this  unbe- 
lieving generation,  which  is  the  reason  that  people 
remain  in  their  sins,  and  their  leaders  cause  them  to 
err,  and  their  ministers  minister  in  their  sin,  and 
minister  sin  to  the  people.  Oh  !  that  the  great  Lord 
of  all  may  grant  the  faith  which  purifies  the  heart, 
unto  the  children  of  men,  and  especially  to  his  min- 
isters, that  they  might  be  instrumental  to  convince 
and  convert  souls  to  Christ,  and  his  "Gospel,  which 
is  the  power  of  God  to  salvation  to  all  them  that 
believe."  And  as  without  believing  and  being  bap- 
tized we  can  neither  be  saved  nor  truly  preach  the 
gospel,  how  do  we  believe  in  Christ  if  we  remain  in 
our  sins  ?  For  Christ  saith,  "  If  ye  believe  not  that 
I  am  he,  ye  shall  die  in  your  sins."  So  it  is  plain, 
that  the  true  faith  and  belief  in  Christ  taketh  away 
our  sins,  and  that  if  we  remain  in  our  sins,  we  have 
not  the  true  faith  of  Christ. 

It  is  not  enough  to  have  a  notional  or  historical 
faith  or  belief  that  Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  but  we 
must  also  believe,  as  the  angel  declared,  "  This  is  he 
that  shall  save  his  people  from  their  sins."  This 
was  before   he  was  born  of  the  holy  "Virgin ;    and 


584  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

those  people  mightily  mistake  the  doctrine  of  Christ 
in   the  holy  Scriptures,  who  think  or  believe  they 
shall   be   saved   in   their  sins;   and  those  ministers 
must  needs  be  antichristian,  who  preach  and  write 
that  there  can  be  no  living  in  this  world  without  sin, 
which  is  also  contrary  to  their  own  doctrine  at  other 
times,  and  to  their  solemn  covenant  in  water  baptism, 
or  sprinkling,  in  which  they  promise  for  their  children, 
"  To  forsake  the  devil  and  all  his  works ;  "  and  no 
Christian  can  pretend  to  greater  or  higher  perfection 
than  to  forsake  the  devil  and  all  his  works,  "the 
pomp  and  vanity  of  this  wicked  world,  and  all  the 
sinful  lusts  of  the  flesh,  and  to  keep  God's  holy  will 
and  commandments,  and  to  walk  in  the  same  all  the 
days  of  our  lives."     According  to  this  solemn  cove- 
nant there  is  no  day  for  sin ;  yet  those  covenanters 
at  other  times  will  say,  that  the  best  saints  cannot 
live  without  sin,  and  that  people  sin  in  their  best 
duties.     If  any  think  to  mock  the  Almighty  after 
that  manner,  they  will   be   much   mistaken   in   the 
day  of  the  righteous  judgment  of  God:  for  "Christ 
came  to  put  an  end  to  sin,  and  to  finish  transgres- 
sion, and  to  destroy  the  works  of  the  devil,"  which 
all  sin  most  certainly  is.     It  is  plain,  that  John,  the 
beloved  disciple  of  Christ,  believed  this,  from  his  own 
words :  "  I  write  unto  you,  young  men,  because  ye 
have  overcome  the  wicked  one.     I  have  written  unto 
you,  young  men,  because  ye  are  strong,  and  the  word 
of  God  abideth  in  you,  and  ye  have  overcome  the 
wicked  one." 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY  585 

.To  the  church  of  Ephesus  he  writes :  "  He  that 
hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith  unto 
the  churches :  To  him  that  overcometh,  will  I  give 
to  eat  of  the  tree  of  life,  which  is  in  the  midst  of  the 
paradise  of  God."  To  the  church  of  Smyrna  :  "  He 
that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the  Spirit  saith 
unto  the  churches :  he  that  overcometh  shall  not  be 
hurt  of  the  second  death."  To  the  church  of  Perga- 
mos,  "  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear  what  the 
Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches :  To  him  that  over- 
cometh, will  I  give  to  eat  of  the  hidden  manna,  and 
will  give  him  a  white  stone,  and  in  it  a  new  name 
written,  which  no  man  knoweth,  save  him  that  re- 
ceiveth  it."  To  the  church  of  Thyatira:  "He  that 
overcometh  and  keepeth  my  works  unto  the  end,  to 
him  will  I  give  power  over  the  nations :  and  he  shall 
rule  them  with  a  rod  of  iron ;  as  the  vessels  of  a 
potter  shall  they  be  broken  to  shivers :  even  as  I 
received  of  my  Father.  And  I  will  give  him  the 
morning  star.  He  that  hath  an  ear,  let  him  hear 
what  the  Spirit  saith  unto  the  churches."  To  the 
church  of  Sardis  :  "  He  that  overcometh,  the  same 
shall  be  clothed  in  white  raiment ;  and  I  will  not  blot 
out  his  name  out  of  the  book  of  life ;  but  I  will  confess 
his  name  before  my  Father,  and  before  his  angels." 
To  the  church  of  Philadelphia  :  "  He  that  overcometh 
will  I  make  a  pillar  in  the  temple  of  my  God,  and  he 
shall  go  no  more  out :  and  I  will  write  upon  him  the 
name  of  my  God,  and  the  name  of  the  city  of  my 
God,  which  is  New  Jerusalem,  which  cor.aeth  down 


586  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

out  of  heaven  from  my  God :  and  I  will  write  upon 
him  my  new  name."  To  the  church  of  Laodicea: 
"  To  him  that  overeometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me 
in  my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am  set 
down  with  my  Father  in  his  throne." 

Surely  that  soul  who  cannot  by  all  this  see  that 
there  is  an  overcoming,  must  certainly  be  blind  as 
to  a  spiritual  sight  of  the  doctrine  of  Christ ;  and 
what  is  it  but  to  make  Christ  and  the  holy  Spirit  a 
deceiver,  to  promise  all  those  great  things  to  his 
churches,  if  they  cannot  perform  the  condition  he 
prescribes.  If  it  were  true,  as  it  is  not,  that  it  is 
impossible  to  overcome  sin  and  Satan,  then  would 
Christ  be  a  hard  master,  which  is  absurd  and  wicked 
to  suggest.  But  this  overcoming  cannot  be  in  our 
own  wills,  nor  in  our  own  time,  nor  with  our  own 
weapons,  but  according  to  the  apostle  Paul's  testi- 
mony of  the  saints'  weapons  and  their  warfare,  and 
also  of  his  own  fight  and  victory,  viz. :  "  The  weapons 
of  our  warfare  are  not  carnal,  but  mighty,  through 
God,  to  the  pulling  down  of  strong  holds."  Satan's 
holds  of  sin  are  strong  ones,  if  never  to  be  overcome. 

With  these  weapons  we  may  overcome :  and  he  bids 
the  Christian  put  them  on,  and  calls  them  the  whole 
armor  of  light ;  opposite  and  contrary  to  Satan's 
dark  power,  and  he  names  them  after  this  manner  : 
"  Stand  therefore,  having  your  loins  girt  about  with 
truth,  and  having  on  the  breastplate  of  righteousness, 
and  your  feet  shod  with  the  preparation  of  the  gospel 
of  peace ;  above  all,  taking  the  shield  of  faith,  where- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  •        587 

with  ye  shall  be  able  to  quench  all  the  fiery  darts  of 
the  wicked :  and  take  the  helmet  of  salvation,  and 
the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God." 
"  I  have  fought  a  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my 
course,  I  have  kept  the  faith,  henceforth  there  is  laid 
up  for  me  a  crown  of  righteousness ;  which  the  Lord, 
the  righteous  Judge,  shall  give  to  me  at  that  day,  and 
not  to  me  only,  but  to  all  them  who  love  his  appear- 

kg." 

Thus  the  saints  and  primitive  Christians  were  vic- 
torious in  this  Christian  and  spiritual  warfare,  and 
they  encouraged  others  to  follow  them,  as  they  did 
Christ.  The  very  belief  of  this  doctrine,  that  we 
can  never  overcome  sin  and  Satan,  is  contrary  to  the 
faith  of  Christ,  and  is  a  mighty  engine  of  the  wicked 
one  to  destroy  souls.  For  what  encouragement  have 
any  to  the  work  of  reformation,  or  to  believe  in,  or 
press  after  the  new  birth,  if  they  do  not  believe  in 
the  new  birth,  or  that  they  can  be  created  anew  in 
Christ  Jesus  unto  good  works,  and  that  they  must 
not  walk  after  the  flesh,  to  fulfil  the  lusts  thereof. 
Oh !  that  ministers  and  people  would  consider  tha* 
awful  sentence  of  holy  Scripture,  "If  ye  live  after 
the  flesh,  ye  shall  die ;  but  if  ye,  through  the  Spirit, 
do  mortify  the  deeds  of  the  body,  ye  shall  live."  The 
want  of  a  lively  hope  and  faith  in  Christ,  the  Lord 
of  heaven  and  earth,  is  great  indeed.  Oh  !  that  true 
faith  in  him  might  increase  in  the  earth  more  and 
more !  Then  would  he  inspire  the  soul  with  inward 
strength  and  grace  to  resist  the  devil,  and  overcome 


588  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

him,  and  actually  to  do  the  works  of  God,  and  to 
forsake  the  devil  and  all  his  works ;  then,  and  not 
until  then,  is  Christ's  righteousness  imputed  to  us; 
so  that  true  Christians  are  truly  righteous,  not  only 
by  imputation,  but  by  action  also.  Oh  !  that  those 
who  make  profession  of  the  name  of  the  holy  Jesus, 
would  deny  themselves,  and  take  up  their  daily  cross, 
and  follow  him  in  the  regeneration !  otherwise,  how 
can  they  be  his  'disciples  or  ministers?  And  then 
would  true  Christianity  flourish  in  the  earth;  then 
would  Christ  be  exalted  over  all,  who,  with  the 
Father  and  holy  Spirit,'  is  God  blessed  forever. 

To  return  a  little  to  Christ's  baptism,  viz.:  "He 
that  believeth  and  is  baptized,  shall  be  saved."  Here 
our  great  baptizer  and  chief  minister  is  positive  that 
they  shall  be  saved  who  are  baptized  with  his  baptism; 
from  which,  with  strong  reason,  we  may  conclude,  that 
the  baptism  which  is  absolutely  necessary  to  salvation, 
is  not  water  baptism,  which  was  John's,  but  spiritual 
baptism,  which  is  Christ's ;  and  for  this  reason  also, 
that  most  Christians  who  have  any  spiritual  under- 
standing, do  plainly  see,  that  notwithstanding  people 
are  baptized,  or  sprinkled  with  elementary  water,  many 
live  wicked,  ungodly  lives,  and  die  in  that  state.  But 
quite  the  contrary  effect  hath  that  baptism  which  is 
of  the  Holy  Ghost  and  spiritual  fire,  which  is  Christ's 
baptism ;  for  that  where  it  is  witnessed,  and  where 
people  not  only  talk  of  it,  but  live  according  to  its 
holy  operation  on  the  soul,  saves  and  cleanses  from 
sin  and  evil,  and  washes  by  regeneration,  and  renews 
the  soul  by  grace,  with  divine  life  and  power. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  589 

The  call  of  a  true  minister  is  from  and  by  Christ ; 
he  must  come  to  the  school  of  Christ,  and  take  hi3 
degrees  there ;  in  the  universal  love  of  God  he  must 
learn  and  experience  patience,  humility,  faith,  hope, 
and  charity ;  "  Learn  of  me,"  saith  he,  "  for  I  am 
meek  and  lowly  in  heart."  Notwithstanding  he  was 
the  heir  of  all  things,  and  all  power  in  heaven  and 
earth  was  given  unto  him,  he  humbled  himself  to  the 
death  of  the  cross,  for  the  sake  of  mankind ;  and  as 
the  living  Father  sent  his  Son,  so  the  Son  sends  his 
servants  contrary  to  the  will  of  man,  as  the  apostle 
Paul  said :  "  But  I  certify  unto  you,  brethren,  that 
the  gospel  which  was  preached  of  me,  is  not  after 
man ;  for  I  neither  received  it  of  man,  nor  was  I 
taught  it  but  by  the  revelation  of  Jesus  Christ." 
Hereby  it  is  plain  he  thought  there  was  no  absolute 
necessity  of  outward  learning,  or  outward  call  by  man. 

And  as  there  is  no  absolute  necessity  of  outward 

learning  to  make  a  minister  of  Christ,  so  there  is  no 

need  to  force  an  outward  maintenance ;    for  Christ 

will  take  care  of  his  servants,  and  feed  and  clothe 

them,  when  he  sends  them,  as  he  did  his  disciples,  who 

went  forth  without  staff  or  scrip,  yet  acknowledged, 

after   their  return,  that  they  lacked    nothing.      As 

Christ  said,  "Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give;" 

so  there  is  no  outward  compulsion  or  force  in  Christ's 

doctrine  or  religion.     Some  are  indeed  of  another 

opinion,  and  have  practised  the  contrary,  and' bring 

those  words  of  Christ  to  uphold  them  in  the  practice 

of  forcing  religion,  where  he  says,  in  the  parable  of 
50 


590  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

the  marriage  supper,  "  Go,  compel  them  to  come  in;*' 
which  was  no  other  compulsion  or  force  but  that  of 
love,  which  is  the  greatest  power  in  heaven  or  earth : 
to  construe  our  Saviour's  words  in  any  other  sense, 
would  be  absurd,  and  contrary  to  the  whole  tenor  and 
doctrine  of  his  holy  ministry. 

Thus  then  the  work  of  Christ's  ministers  is  to  bring 
the  people  to  Christ,  as  he  is  their  Redeemer  and 
Saviour  from  sin,  and  as  he  is  their  comforter  and 
good  remembrancer,  and  their  spiritual  guide  into  all 
truth,  in  the  performance  of  which  work  they  will 
have  their  reward  in  this  world,  and  in  the  world  to 
come,  everlasting  life.     Amen. 


Concerning  Personal  Election  and  Reprobation. 

A  concern  came  upon  me,  in  Christian  love  to  the 
honest-hearted  of  the  Presbyterian  way,  to  show  them 
how  their  teachers  have  misled  them,  and  misrepre- 
sented the  words  of  God,  in  pretending  to  prove  the 
doctrine  they  hold  of  personal  election  and  reproba- 
tion, and  in  wresting  the  Scriptures  in  support  of  it. 

Some  of  the  texts  of  Scripture  whereby  they  vainly 
endeavor  to  defend  it,  whereupon  they  chiefly  found 
their  tenet,  are  these,  viz.  :  , 

Concerning  Jacob  and  Esau,  and  the  Lord's  harden- 
ing Pharaoh's  heart.  "  He  that  made  them,  will  not 
have  mercy  upon  them,  and  he  that  formed  them,  will 
show  them  no  favor."  "  Hath  not  the  potter  power  over 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  591 

the  clay  of  the  same  lump,  to  make  one  vessel  to  honor 
and  another  to  dishonor  ?  "  "  Therefore  he  hath  mercy 
on  whom  he  will  have  mercy,  and  whom  he  will  he 
hardeneth." 

Relating  to  Jacob  and  Esau,  the  case  was  thus  :  the 
Almighty  showed  Rebecca,  the  mother  of  them  both, 
while  the  children  were  yet  unborn,  that  the  elder 
should  serve  the  younger.  Not  that  the  elder  should 
be  damned  to  eternity,  and  the  younger  only  saved, 
as  it  is  hoped  will  appear  clear  in  the  sequel,  and  the 
contrary  be  plainly  proved,  both  by  Scripture  and 
right  reason.  Jacob  and  Esau  were  the  sons  of  godly 
Isaac,  to  whom,  with  faithful  Abraham,  was  the  promise 
of  God,  and  to  their  seed,  and  both  Jacob  and  Esau 
were  blessed  in  the  name  of  God,  and  in  his  faith  also : 
"  For,"  saith  the  author  of  the  Hebrews,  "  Isaac  blessed 
Jacob  and  Esau  by  faith."  This  he  wrote  when  he 
was  illustrating  the  power  of  faith,  by  many  wonderful 
works  which  had  been  done  thereby ;  and  doubtless 
the  faith  there  spoken  of  is  the  true  faith ;  and  what- 
ever is  foretold  through  true  faith  will  most  certainly 
be  fulfilled,  as  this  significant  blessing  of  Isaac  to  his 
sons  was.  The  good  old  man  calls  his  eldest  son  to 
him,  being  disposed  to  bless  him,  and  bids  him  seek 
venison,  and  make  him  savory  meat,  such  as  he  knew 
his  father  loved,  "  that  my  soul  may  bless  thee  before 
I  die ; "  and  Rebecca,  their  mother,  knowing,  from 
what  God  had  shown  her  before  they  were  born,  that 
the  elder  should  serve  the  younger,  for  whom  she  had 
the  greatest  love,  she  calls  Jacob  and  opens  the  matter 


592  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

to  him,  and  bids  him  get  savory  meat  for  his  father, 
which,  through  her  importunity,  he  did.  After  he 
had  prepared  it,  he  brought  it  to  his  father  before  his 
brother  came,  and  his  father  blessed  him  in  faith,  but 
he  did  it  against  his  natural  inclination;  for  he  would 
have  had  his  son  Esau  to  have  had  the  blessing  of 
preference,  because  he  was  the  eldest  son,  and  by 
nature  it  was  his  birth-right ;  but  he,  in  his  profane 
state  and  condition,  had  despised  it  and  sold  it  to  his 
brother  Jacob  for  a  thing  of  little  value ;  so  that 
Jacob,  having,  by  his  brother's  consent,  bought  it  of 
him,  had  a  right  to  it  on  a  double  account,  both  by 
the  promise  of  God  before  he  wa3  born,  and  by  pur- 
chase from  his  brother..  But  let  it  be  observed,  this 
was  the  blessing  of  preference  only,  that  blessing  which 
Esau  sought  with  tears,  but  could  not  find ;  neverthe- 
less he  had  a  blessing  pronounced  upon  him  by  his 
father,  through  faith,  though  he  does  not  seem  to 
have  had  a  right  sense  thereof,  for  he  was  at  times 
in  a  profane  spirit,  and  in  enmity  and  malice  against 
his  brother  Jacob,  as  appears  by  that  murdering,  per- 
secuting mind,  that  then  was  unmortified  in  him; 
"  For,"  says  he,  "  the  days  of  mourning  for  my  father 
are  at  hand,  and  then  I  will  slay  my  brother  Jacob." 
But  as  his  wickedness  was  great,  his  conversion  must 
be  so  much  the  more  glorious.  It  would  be  well  if 
all  murdering  persecutors  would,  in  his  conversion, 
take  him  for  an  example ;  for  instead  of  killing  his 
brother,  when  he  met  him  on  his  return  to  his  father's 
house,  from  whence  he  had  fled,  he  fell  on  his  neck 
and  kissed  him,  and  wept. 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  59 


q 


It  is  hoped  that  no  Christian  will  be  offended  to 
hear  of  the  conversion  and  great  change  of  this  pro- 
fane person,  who,  though  he  was  not  favored  with  the 
blessing  of  preference,  or  the  natural  blessing  of  birth- 
right, which  he  sought  with  tears,  and  could  not  find, 
yet  the  blessing  of  God's  grace  and  favor,  being  the 
free  gift  of  the  Almighty  to  him,  with  the  fatness  of 
the  earth,  he  had,  and  it  was  delivered  to  him  by  his 
father  by  faith,  as  saith  the  apostle,  in  the  afore-cited 
epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  which  blessing  was  by  their 
father  Isaac  thus  expressed  to  each  of  them.  First, 
to  Jacob,  "  That  the  purpose  of  God  according  to 
election  might  stand ; "  which  choice  or  election,  be- 
fore they  were  born,  or  had- done  good  or  evil,  was, 
"that  the  elder  should  serve  the  younger,"  or  the 
younger  be  preferred  before  the  elder ;  not  that  one 
should  be  damned,  and  the  other  saved ;  there  is  no 
damnation  to  eternity,  that  we  read  of  concerning 
Esau,  but  a  choice  blessing  of  God,  of  a  quite  different 
nature.  Unto  Jacob  he  said  thus :  "  God  give  thee 
of  the  dew  of  heaven,  and  the  fatness  of  the  earth, 
and  plenty  of  corn  and  wine ;  be  lord  over  thy  brethren, 
and  let  thy  mother's  sons  bow  down  to  thee,"  etc.  And 
unto  Esau  he  says,  "  Behold  thy  dwelling  shall  be  of 
the  fatness  of  the  earth,  and  of  the  dew  of  heaven  from 
above,  and  by  thy  sword  shalt  thou  live,  and  shalt 
serve  thy  brother ;  and  it  shall  come  to  pass,  when 
thou  shalt  have  the  dominion,  that  thou  shalt  break 
his  yoke  from  off  thy  neck." 

These  blessings  have  not  only  respect  to  their  own 
50* 


594  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

proper  persons,  but  also  to  their  posterity ;  bat  are 
far  from  pre-ordaining  them,  or  any  of  them,  to  dam- 
nation ;  and  we  have  good  ground  from  what  is  above, 
together  with  the  reformation  wrought  in  Esau  him- 
self, to  believe  much  better  things  of  him ;  for  it  is 
written,  "When  the  wicked  man  turneth  away  from 
his  wickedness  which  he  hath  committed,  and  doth 
that  which  is  lawful  and  right,  he  shall  save  his 
soul  alive.  So  when  a  righteous  man  turneth  away 
from  his  righteousness,  and  committeth  iniquity,  and 
dieth  in  it,  for  his  iniquity  which  he  hath  done  shall 
he  die." 

Having  thus  far  taken  notice  of  the  purport  of  the 
blessings  of  Jacob  and  Esau,  relating  to  their  persons, 
who  were  both  blessed  with  the  dew  of  heaven  and 
the  fatness  of  the  earth,  I  would  add  this  remark, 
"Let  none  curse  him  or  them  whom  God  hath  blessed." 

And  whereas  the  apostle,  reciting  the  words  of  the 
prophet  Malachi,  saith,  "  Jacob  have  I  loved,  but  Esau 
have  I  hated  ;  "  this  was  not  said  of  them  before  they 
were  born,  or  had  done  either  good  or  evil ;  but  was 
justly  denounced  by  the  Almighty  for  the  cruelty  and 
hatred  of  the  children  of  Esau  to  the  children  of 
Israel,  as  is  fully  and  clearly  expressed  by  the  pro- 
phets David,  Ezekiel,  Amos,  and  Obadiah;  and  was 
written  many  ages  after. 

Second;  The  next  text  under  consideration  is,  "That 
the  Lord  hardened  the  heart  of  Pharaoh."  But  it 
should  be  observed,  he  had  first  hardened  himself 
against  God  and  his  people,  and  then  God  hardened 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  595 

him  yet  harden  in  order  to  show  his  great  power  to 
mortals,  which  well  consisted  with  his  justice  to  the 
wicked  and  unmerciful ;  for  as  God  is  merciful  to 
the  righteous,  so  is  he  just  in  his  judgment  to  the 
ungodly. 

So  that  God  was  clear  of  that  evil  heart  of  unbelief 
in  him,  and  it  is  but  just,  and  also  reasonable,  that 
when  man,  having  been  often  visited,  refuseth  the 
offers  of  God's  love,  he  should  visit  such  with  his 
righteous  judgment,  who  have  slighted  his  mercy 
and  grace.  And  then,  according  to  the  holy  Scrip- 
ture, "  His  destruction  is  of  himself,  but  his  help  is 
in  the  Lord."  So  that  "  God  is  true,  and  every  man 
contradicting  him  is  a  liar." 

Wherefore  may  all  have  a  care  of  hardening  their 
hearts  as  Pharaoh  did,  for  that  is  provoking  the  Al- 
mighty, and  then  he  justly  gives  them  over  to  an  evil 
heart  of  unbelief,  and  to  a  reprobate  mind,  in  departing 
from  the  living  God.  The  Lord  saith  unto  Pharaoh, 
"Let  my  people  go,"  over  and  over,  and  it  was  the 
mind  of  God  he  should  have  done  it :  without  those 
men  who  hold  the  contrary,  would  make  the  Almighty 
such  an  one  as  themselves,  to  say  one  thing,  and 
mean  another.  "What  is  that  but  to  charge  the  Al- 
mighty with  hypocrisy  ?  a  thing  hated  of  him,  and 
his  dear  Son,  Christ  Jesus.  Pharaoh  might  have 
obeyed  the  Lord  in  a  day  of  visitation :  but  he  refused, 
and  said,  "  Who  is  the  Lord,  that  I  should  obey  his 
voice,  to  let  Israel  go  ?  I  know  not  the  Lord,  neither 
will  I  let  Israel  go."     And  he  continued  to  harden 


596  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

himself  against  God  and  his  people,  cruelly  persecuting 
them,  and  forcing  them  to  make  bricks  without  straw, 
before  we  read  that  the  Lord  hardened  his  heart. 
Oh !  that  all  hard-hearted,  persecuting,  unbelieving 
people,  migh:  take  warning  by  him,  before  it  be 
too  late. 

It  is  clsar,  he  might  have  let  the  people  go ;  because 
God  by  Moses  commanded  him  so  to  do.  And  who 
can  deny,  that  what  God  did,  was  more  proper  to 
soften  than  to  harden  his  heart,  by  letting  him  see 
the  miracles  wrought  in  bis  name,  and  the  ceasing  of  ■ 
the  plagues  he  had  inflicted.  It  was  possible  for  him 
to  do  what  God  required  of  him ;  he  was  not  predes- 
tinated to  that  obduration,  but  he  hardened  his  own 
heart;  and  then  it  was,  is,  and  always  will  be,  just 
with  God  to  suffer  his,  or  any  other  man's  heart  to 
become  hardened,  and  give  them  up  to  a  reprobate 
mind. 

Third;  The  following  Scripture  is  wrested,  and 
falsely  made  use  of,  viz.,  "  He  that  made  them,  will 
not  have  mercy  on  them;  and  he  that  formed  them, 
will  show  them  no  favor."  This  text  hath,  in  some 
of  the  writings  of  those  that  espouse  the  aforesaid 
doctrine,  been  brought  to  vindicate  that  despairing, 
destructive,  evil  principle,  of  the  pre-ordination  of 
particular  persons  to  destruction  and  damnation  :  but 
this  text,  with  the  rest  brought  for  that  end,  is  grossly 
perverted ;  for  in  the  same  place  the  case  is  fairly 
stated,  and  the  reason  clearly  shown,  why  God  will 
show  them  no  favor,  viz.,  "Because  they  were  with- 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  597 

ered  brandies,  and  people  of  no  understanding  •  there- 
fore he  that  made  them,  would  not  have  mercy  upon 
them,  and  he  that  formed  them,  would  show  them  no 
favor."  From  whence  it  appears  they  might  have 
been  fruitful,  but  would  not,  and  had  been  green,  but 
were  withered  from  their  greenness ;  much  like  those 
whom  Christ  expostulates  with,  when  he  says,  "  How 
often  would  I  have  gathered  you  as  a  hen  gathereth 
her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would  not." 
"  If  thou  hadst  known,  in  this  thy  day,  the  things 
which  belong  to  thy  peace,  but  now  they  are  hid  from 
thine  eyes."  Which  shows  the  great  and  fervent 
desire  of  Christ  to  save  souls,  and  his  tender  love  to 
poor  mortals,  and  that  they  had  a  day  of  visitation, 
in  which  they  might  have  been  gathered,  which  is  far 
from  ordaining  them  to  destruction  from  all  eternity. 

God  is  fully  clear  of  all  men,  and  their  blood  is  on 
their  own  heads,  and  their  destruction  is  of  them- 
selves; whereas  they  might  have  help  in  the  Lord 
and  his  Christ,  through  faith,  which  he  offers  to  man 
freely  ;  but  man  will  not  receive  or  embrace  it.  And 
further,  it  should  be  observed,  that  if  the  whole  texts 
of  the  prophecy  of  Isaiah  in  his  thirty-seventh  chap- 
ter be  considered,  it  will  plainly  appear,  that  he  is  so 
far  from  uttering  an  express  or  positive  decree  of  their 
final  destruction,  that  he  clearly  and  fully  foretells 
their  recovery  and  restoration  out  of  that  state. 

Fourth ;  They  argue  from  the  words  of  the  apostle, 
"  Hath  not  the  potter  power  over  the  clay,  to  make 
of  the  same  lump  one  vessel  to  honor,  and  another  to 


598  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

dishonor  ? "  Yes,  doubtless  he  hath  ;  but  the  potter 
doth  not  make  vessels  with  design  to  destroy  them, 
or  to  break  them  to  pieces,  but  for  use  and  service ; 
and  it  is  contrary  to  his  will  and  interest,  when  a 
vessel  is  marred  under  his  hand.  And  it  is  very 
plainly  expressed*  by  the  prophet  Jeremiah,  after 
mentioning  his  beholding  the  work  of  the  potter, 
"Oh,  house  of  Israel,  cannot  I  do  with  you  as  this 
potter  ?  saith  the  Lord.  Behold  as  the  clay  is  in  the 
potter's  hand,  so  are  ye  in  my  hand,  oh,  house  of 
Israel !  At  what  instant  I  shall  speak  concerning  a 
nation,  and  concerning  a  kingdom,  to  pluck  up  and  to 
pull  down,  and  to  destroy  it ;  if  that  nation  against 
whom  I  have  pronounced,  turn  from  their  evil,  I  will 
repent  of  the  evil  that  I  thought  to  do  unto  them." 
All  which  is  contrary  to  the  doctrine  of  an  absolute  and 
unconditional  predestination.  The  Lord  in  his  wisdom, 
and  to  show  his  power,  doth  make  souls  more  or  less 
honorable,  as  he  pleaseth ;  but  it  is  very  plain,  from 
Scripture  and  right  reason,  that  he  makes  none  with 
a  design  to  destroy  them,  nor  hath  he  ordained  any 
to  eternal  damnation.  Though  he  hath  ordained 
damnation  for  wicked  and  ungodly  men,  yet  he  never 
ordained  that  men  should  be  wicked  and  ungodly. 

Fifth;  They  urge  the  apostle's  words,  but  to  as 
little  purpose  as  the  former,  "  He  will  have  mercy  on 
whom  he  will  have  mercy,  and  whom  he  will  he  hard- 
eneth."  It  is  true,  that  God  hath  abundantly  shown 
us,  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  on  whom  he  will  have 
mercy,  viz.,  He  hath  mercy  on  the  poor  in  spirit;  the 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  599 

humble  he  teaches  of  his  ways  ;  the  meek  he  guides 
in  judgment ;  he  clothes  the  meek  with  salvation ;  he 
hath  the  righteous  in  everlasting  remembrance;  he 
loveth  them  who  love  him ;  he  saveth  them  who  love 
his  dear  Son,  and  believe  in  him ;  he  giyeth  to  them 
eternal  life,  and  Christ  loveth  them,  and  manifesteth 
himself  unto  them.  And  his  beloved  disciple  John 
declared,  "  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ,  the  righteous ;  and  he  is  the 
propitiation  for  our  sins,  and  not  for  ours  only,  but 
also  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world."  And  the  author 
of  the  Epistle  to  the  Hebrews,  saith,  "  But  we  see  Jesus, 
who  was  made  a  little  lower  than  the  angels,  for  the 
suffering  of  death,  crowned  with  glory  and  honor, 
that  he,  by  the  grace  of  God,  should  taste  death  for 
every  man."  And  all  who  believe  in,  and  obey  him, 
will  partake  of  the  benefit  of  his  death  aud  suffering ; 
"  But  the  wicked  is  snared  in  the  work  of  his  owr 
hands." 

It  has  been  in  my  mind  for  some  years,  to  show 
the  weakness  of  some  of  what  are  called  the  proofs, 
for  this,  as  I  take  it,  corrupt  and  dangerous  doctrine, 
and  the  misapplication  of  those  texts  of  Scripture, 
which  are  advanced  to  maintain  this  absurd  notion, 
of  souls  being  fore-ordained  to  damnation  eternally, 
whether  they  do  good  or  evil,  and  that  it  is  so  deter- 
mined before  we  are  born  into  the  world.  Oh  !  that 
people  might  come  to  true  repentance,  and  lay  hold 
of  the  universal  love  of  God  to  eternal  life,  through 
the  living  faith  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  in  whose 


600  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

tender  love  to  ail,  are  these  lines  written,  and  in 
great  good-will  they  are  invited  to  search  the  Scrip- 
tures, and  to  see  whether  the  whole  scope  of  them  do 
not  show  the  contrary  to  what  they  hold  in  relation 
to  personal .  reprobation  to  destruction,  fore-ordained 
before  we  are  born,  or  have  done  either  good  or  evil; 
there  not  being  one  text  to  be  found  to  prove  that 
doctrine.  But  there  are  abundance  which  set  forth 
the  love,  mercy,  and  goodness  of  God  to  mankind; 
only  two  of  which  I  shall  add  hereunto,  viz.,  "And 
God  saw  that  the  wickedness  of  man  was  great  in  the 
earth,  and  that  every  imagination  of  the  thoughts  of 
his  heart  was  only  evil  continually.  And  it  repented 
the  Lord  that  he  had  made  man  on  the  earth,  and  it 
grieved  him  at  his  heart."  "  And  Jonah  arose,  and 
went  unto  Nineveh,  according  to  the  word  of  the 
Lord,  and  entered  and  said,  Yet  forty  days,  and  Nine- 
veh shall  be  overthrown.  So  the  people  of  Nineveh 
believed  God,  and  proclaimed  a  fast,  and  put  on  sack- 
cloth, from  the  greatest  of  them  even  to  the  least  of 
them.  And  God  saw  their  works,  that  they  returned 
from  their  evil  way,  and  God  repented  of  the  evil  that 
he  had  said  he  would  do  unto  them,  and  he  did  it 
not."  I  heartily  desire  that  these  two  texts  may  be 
duly  considered  and  weighed;  therein  the  mercy, 
loving-kindness,  and  long  forbearance  of  God,  being 
so  clearly  and  fully  manifested,  that  I  think  it  may 
be  sufficient  to  convince  every  unprejudiced  mind  of 
the  error  of  believing  the  absolute  predestination  by 
the  Almighty,  of  any  part  of  mankind  to  destruction. 

Thomas  Chalkley. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  601 

A  Letter  to  Cotton  Mather,  in  New  England.'* 
Frankford,  20th  of  Third  month,  1726. 

Coukteous  Feiend,  C.  M.,— 

Thine,  dated  November  30th,  1725,  I  received  a 
few  days  ago,  having  been  visiting  the  people  along 
the  sea-shore  in  the  Jerseys,  in  the  love  of  Christ, 
hoping  to  bring  some  to  him,  among  whom,  in  a 
general  way,  the  gospel  which  I  had  to  preach  in  his 
name,  found  acceptance,  for  which  I  was  truly  thank- 
ful. And  though  I  had  no  earthly  consideration  for 
•so  doing,  yet  I  had  an  inward  satisfaction,  that  I 
thought  I  would  not  exchange  or  part  with  for  the 
bishop  of  Rome  or  Canterbury's  revenue :  and  at  my 
return  I  received  thy  friendly  letter,  of  which  I  was 
glad,  and  that  mine  to  thee  found  that  acceptance,  so 
as  to  answer  my  request. 

And  whereas  thou  sayest  thy  aim  and  hope  have 
been  to  persuade  us  who  call  ourselves  Friends,  we 
professing  ourselves  friends  to  all  people,  that  our 
superior  stress  should  be  upon  the  grand  point  of 
Christ  inward ;  we  having  found,  by  living  and  blessed 
experience,  the  great  benefit  and  comfort  of  his  sweet 

*  Having  received  a  courteous  letter  from  Cotton  Mather, 
one  of  the  greatest  preachers  among  the  people  of  New  Eng- 
land ;  he  being  in  community  with  the  national  church  there, 
and  having  preached  a  sermon  concerning  the  power  and  ex- 
cellence of  Christ  within,  recommending  the  people  thereunto, 
and  commending  our  Society  therein  ;  but  differing  from  us  in 
some  particulars,  which  particulars  I  was  concerned  to  answer 
51 


602  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  glorious  presence,  by  the  manifestation  of  hia 
power,  spirit,  and  grace,  in  and  to  our  souls,  we  can- 
not do  otherwise  than  lay  the  greatest  stress  thereon, 
our  benefit  thereby  being  not  easily  expressed,  so 
as  to  be  understood  by  the  carnal  mind,  or  those  who 
are  in  a  state  of  degeneration.  '^Christ  within  was,  is, 
and  ever  will  be  the  hope  of  the  sanctified  soul's 
glory,  though  a  mystery  hid  from  ages  of  the  unre- 
generate  people,  or  from  those  who  are  in  the  repro- 
bation;  "Know  ye  not  your  ownselves  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  in  you,  except  ye  be  reprobates,"  as  saith 
the  apostle  Paul. 

From  the  above  I  would  not  be  understood  as 
though  I  believed  Christ  is  nowhere  but  in  the 
people;  neither  did  I  ever  understand  any  of  our 
Friends  so,  though  we  have  been  often  misrepre- 
sented on  that  head^ 

And  as  to  the  ceremony  of  the  hat,  and  the  plural 
language  to  single  persons,  I  thus  answer  thee,  that 
many  of  us  left  that  way  of  salutation  and  speaking 
through  strong  conviction,  accompanied  with  these 
reasons : 

First ;  It  being  a  respect  we  pay  to  Almighty  God, 
he  being  our  head,  is  honored  by  uncovering  our 
heads,  as  saith  the  apostle  Paul ;  we  think,  for  that 
reason,  it  is  not  right  to  uncover  our  heads  to  men, 
but  that  to  give  one  another  our  hands,  in  an  inward 
and  hearty  respect,  is  better. 

Second;  "We  read  in  the  holy  Scriptures,  that 
Mordecai  could  not  bow  to  Haman  for  conscience' 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  603 

sake,  and  I  think  it  may  be  safely  concluded,  that  he 
did  not  take  off  his  hat,  or  uncover  his  head,  though 
he  was  in  danger  of  suffering  for  it.     And, 

Third;  The  three  children  of  God  walked  in  the 
presence  of  the  great  king  of  Babylon,  and  those 
present  with  him,  with  their  hats  on;  and  they  stood 
the  king's  fury  and  the  fire,  though  seven  times 
hotter  than  usual,  with  their  hats  on. 

I  beseech  thee,  my  good  friend,  to  consider  the 
tenor  of  the  holy  Scriptures  maturely,  and  then  I 
hope  thou  wilt  not  think  the  hat,  and  the  language 
of  thee  and  thou  to  a  single  person,  to  be  needless 
ceremonies  and  encumbrances,  according  to  our  prin- 
ciple and  practice.  I  do  not  write  thus  to  thee  for 
contention,  nor  in  a  contentious  spirit,  but  in  the 
innocent  love  of  our  dear  Lord  Jesus,  and  for  edifica- 
tion, or,  if  need  be,  for  information. 

Also,  as  to  thee  and  thou  to  a  single  person,  I 
answer,  that  the  holy  Scriptures,  or  the  words  of 
God  therein  recorded,  are  by  Protestant  professors 
of  Christ  acknowledged  a  rule  to  us  all,  next  to  the 
holy  Spirit,  from  whence  they  came,  or  the  Holy 
Ghost,  who  our  Saviour  promised,  "shall  lead  into 
all  truth,  and  abide  with  the  true  believers  forever;" 
and  that  God  and  Christ's  spirit  doth  not  contradict 
the  holy  Scriptures,  which  have  proceeded  from 
thence:  this  general  proposition  we  all  agree  to  if 
we  rightly  understand  one  another.  Then,  according 
to  this  rule,  our  plain  language  is  right,  otherwise 
I  should  be  obliged  to  thee  to  show  us  wherein  we 


604  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

err  from  that  good  rule.  Now,  the  Most  High 
thought  good  to  teach  arid  use  that  lar  guage  in  the 
beginning  to  our  first  parents,  so  that  is  our  mother 
tongue,  and  is  the  language  of  the  Bible,  or  holy 
Scriptures,  from  Genesis  to  the  Revelations.  I  sup- 
pose I  need  not  tell  thee,  that  you  to  a  single  person 
had  its  rise  from  pride  and  flattery;  and  thyself 
knoweth,  that  you  to  a  single  person  is  neither  good 
English  nor  good  grammar.  And  if  I  am  rightly 
informed,  your  forefathers,  as  well  as  ours,  made  use 
of  this  plain  Scripture  language  of  thee  and  thou  to 
a  single  person,  in  their  first  separation  from  the 
common  sinners  of  their  times. 

Though  I  thus  apologize  for  the  plain  Scripture 
language,  yet  in  respect  of  faith  or  grace,  and  prin- 
ciples to  be  believed,  which  are  absolutely  necessary 
to  salvation,  I  call  these  but  small  things,  but  we  are 
not  to  despise  the  day  of  small  things.  If  we  are 
faithful  in  the  little,  ve  have  the  promise  of  more,  or 
greater  things. 

I  pray  thee  excuoe  this  long  letter ;  for  it  seems 
meet  that  we  should  render  a  reason  for  our  disuse 
of  those  things  used  by  some  of  most  societies  pro- 
fessing the  Christian  faith. 

In  respect  of  water  baptism,  and  the  bread  and 
wine.  First;  As  to  water  baptism,  I  have  this  to 
answer,  the  which  I  hope  thou  wilt  charitably  con- 
strue. 

The  first  account  that  we  have  of  it  is  from  John 
the  Baptist,  who  first  practised  it,  according  to  the 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  605 

account  the  evangelists  give  concerning  it,  and  he  said, 
"  I  indeed  baptize  you  with  water,  but  he,"  Christ, 
"  shall  baptize  you  with  the  Holy  Ghost  and  with 
fire ; "  plainly  distinguishing  between  the  two  bap- 
tisms, and  the  two  natures  of  them ;  adding,  "  He 
must  increase,  but  I  must  decrease ; "  he  spoke  not 
of  their  persons,  but  of  their  dispensations. 

William  Dell,  a  learned  man  in  his  day,  wrote  an 
excellent  piece  oh  the  subject  of  baptism,  which  be 
pleased  to  peruse  :  it  is  very  evangelical,  and  well 
worth  reading.  I  shall  take  care  to  procure  thee  one 
of  his  books.  I  am  the  more  concerned  about  this 
subject,  because  thou  art  positive  about  our  coming 
to  it,  if  we  improve  in  wisdom :  but  I  would  hope  to 
be,  in  some  measure,  instrumental  to  convince  thee, 
that  there  is  no  absolute  need,  in  order  to  salvation, 
to  go  into  or  unto  the  water  or  element;  but  that  it 
is  absolutely  necessary  for  us  to  go  unto  and  into 
Christ,  that  being  the  way  to  be  new  creatures,  as 
it  is  written,  "  He  that  is  in  Christ  is  a  new  creature." 

Our  dear  Lord  says  on  this  subject,  "  John  truly 
baptized  with  water,  but  ye  shall  be  baptized  with  the 
Holy  Ghost."  Here  our  Saviour,  as  well  as  John, 
distinguished  between  the  twTo  dispensations.  John's 
was  indeed  a  glorious  dispensation  in  its  time;  but 
Christ's  far  exceedeth  it  in  glory,  and  is  to  endure 
forever. 

The  apostle  Peter   remembered   this   doctrine   of 

Christ's  when  the  holy  Spirit's  baptism  was  come; 

"Then,"  says  he,  "I  remembered  the  word  of  the 
51* 


606  THE   JOURNAL    OP 

Lord,  John  baptized  with  water,  but  ye  shall  be  bap- 
tized with  the  Holy  Ghost."  Paul,  the  great  apostle 
of  the  Gentiles,  says,  "  He  was  not  sent  to  baptize, 
but  to  preach  the  gospel;"  which,  when  truly  preached, 
hath  a  spiritual  baptizing  power  attending  it ;  and  if 
we  come  rightly  to  be  baptized  with  the  holy  Spirit 
and  fire  of  the  divine  word,  we  shall  witness  a  reno 
vation,  and  the  work  of  reformation  and  regenera- 
tion will  go  forward  more  and  more,  both  without, 
and  within,  in  body  and  spirit,  for  which  every  true 
Christian  and  minister  of  Christ  longs  and  prays 
with  fervent  desires.  The  apostle  says,  and  pray 
be  pleased  to  judge  for  what  reason,  "  That  the  king- 
dom of  heaven  is  not  meat  nor  drink,  but  righteous- 
ness, peace,  and  joy  in  the  Holy  Ghost."  Oh  !  may 
the  Most  High  inspire  thy  soul  when  thou  read  est 
these  lines,  is  my  tender  desire. 

I  know  I  am  writing  to  one  who  in  many  things 
is  far  before  me ;  so  that  I  write  in  fear,  mixed  with 
Christian  love ;  and  if  it  meet  with  the  same  love  in 
thee,  that  will  cover  a  multitude  of  faults. 

As  to  the  supper  or  ceremony  of  bread  and  wine, 
which  is  called  the  sacrament,  which  word  we  find 
not  in  the  Bible,  we  do  not  understand  that  our  Lord 
laid  it  as  an  injunction  on  his  followers  to  observe 
this  practice  to  perpetuity ;  or  that  the  observation 
thereof  is  absolutely  necessary  to  salvation,  or  that 
his  church  should  be  in  the  practice  of  the  elements 
of  either  water  to  dip  in,  or  sprinkle  with,  or  bread 
and  wine  to  eat  and  drink,  as  a  lasting  ordinance  to 
be  observed  by  believers. 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  607 

Christ  said,  "  This  do  ye,  as  often  as  ye  drink  it, 
in  remembrance  of  me ;  "  which  to  me  seems  to  leave 
it  indifferent :  also  from  the  debates  and  contentions 
of  Christians  about  it,  and  the  blood  that  hath  been 
spilt  in  this  controversy,  and  the  many  doubts  arising 
concerning  it,  I  think  it  is  evident  that  Christ  was 
not  positive  that  his  followers  should  be  found  to 
perpetuity  therein ;  and  where  he  says,  "  Take,  eat, 
this  is  my  body  which  is  broken  for  you,  or  for 
many ;  and  drink,  this  is  my  blood  which  is  shed  foi 
many ; "  I  believe  it  is  not  to  be  doubted  but  that  he 
pointed  at  his  flesh  and  blood  rather  than  the  bread 
and  wine,  as  in  a  figure,  and  that  also  he  had  an  eye 
to  his  spiritual  flesh  and  blood  or  body,  as  where  he 
says,  "  Except  ye  eat  my  flesh,  and  drink  my  blood, 
ye  have  no  life  in  you  ; "  the  which  every  true  Chris- 
tian should  daily  feed  upon,  and  without  which  we 
have  no  divine  life  in  us ;  and  as  himself  also  said, 
"  My  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  is  drink 
indeed." 

It  is  worthy  of  note,  that  much  of  his  holy  words 
and  heavenly  doctrine  was  to  be  understood  spiritu- 
ally; "My  words,"  says  he,  "are  spirit  and  life." 
A  glorious  speech  to  such  as  truly  witness  and  under- 
stand it,  which  is  much  better  felt  by  a  true  believing 
Christian  than  expressed.  Oh  !  may  we  so  open  our 
hearts  to  our  beloved  Jesus,  that  he  may  come  in 
unto  us,  and  that  we  may  sup  with  him  and  he 
with  us,  and  that  he  may  not  only  sup  with  us,  but 
take  up  his  abode  with  us,  and  we  with  him,  forever; 


608  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

and  not  only  in  us  twain,  but  in  all  those  who  truly 
love,  believe  in,  and  follow  him,  throughout  the  world; 
so  wisheth  and  prayeth,  in  sincerity,  thy  real  friend, 

/  Thomas  Chalkley. 

P.  S.  I  hope  thou  wilt  excuse  this  long  letter,  thy 
"Vi.al  Christianity"  being  instrumental  towards  our 
corresponding  together  by  way  of  epistle,  at  which, 
if  it  proves  any  way  to  thy  satisfaction,  I  shall  re- 
joice. In  reading  several  of  thy  latter  tracts,  I  have 
had  love  in  my  heart  towards  thee,  which  was  yet 
more  renewed  in  perusing  thy  "Vital  Christianity," 
and  thy  friendly  letter  to  me. 


Free  Thoughts  Communicated  to  Freethinkers,  in, 
order  to  Promote  Thinking  on  the  Name  and 
Works  of  God ;  with  a  Relation  of  a  Remarka- 
ble Providence,  which  fell  out  at  Port  Royal,  in 
Jamaica. 


To  the  Reader. 

The  author  having  been  much  pressed  in  spirit  to 
write  the  following  considerations,  begs  they  may  be 
read  with  attention,  and  examined  without  prejudice. 
He  hopes  the  learned  and  ingenuous  reader  will  ex- 
cuse any  faults  in  style  or  method,  having  respect  to 
the  sincerity  of  intention  which  he  professes  to  have 
had  in  this  undertaking    and  humbly  prays  that  a 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  609 

divine  blessing  may  attend  it,  to  the  ss  tisfaction  and 
eternal  advantage  of  all  whom  it  may  concern. 


Having  had  some  discourse  with  a  young  man  of 
bright  natural  parts,  concerning  another  world,  and 
of  leaping  out  of  this  into  that  in  the  dark,  which 
must  needs  be  very  dangerous ;  and  fearing  that  many 
take  that  great  leap  in  that  manner,  I  have  been  in- 
duced to  write  these  lines. 

Upon  which  I  cannot  forbear  asking,  what  man  in 
his  senses  will  venture  to  leap  in  the  dark,  he  knows 
not  where  ?  or  into  a  pit  of  which  he  knows  not  the 
bottom  ?  To  think  of  it  is  terrifying,  and  must  needs 
shock  any  considerate  thinker 

Though  a  man,  having  a  bright  genius,  and  a  large 
share  of  natural  parts,  may  acquire  much  literal  and 
natural  knowledge ;  yet,  for  want  of  a  spiritual  un- 
derstanding, which  is  derived  from  the  divine  Spirit, 
he  may  greatly  err  concerning  true  faith  and  religion, 
and  have  no  just  apprehension  of  the  eternal  kingdom 
and  judgment  of  God,  or  of  another  world;  which  it 
might  be  well  for  the  ungodly,  were  never  to  be  at  all : 
though  even  if  this  were  to  be  supposed,  yet  to  live 
virtuously,  as  the  Bishop  of  Sarum  observed  to  that 
great  libertine,  Lord  Eochester,  would  be  an  advantage 
to  men,  even  in  this  world. 

But  if  there  should  be  an  eternal  righteous  king- 
dom, of  which  we  may  internally  and  spiritually  be 
sensible,  and  a  state  of  life  therein  to  come,  then.  oh. 
then !  what  will  become  of  the  wicked,  and  all  who 


610  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

forget  God !  and  what  perturbation  of  soul  must  attend 
such,  when,  under  the  convictions  thereof,  they  shall 
be  ready  to  launch  into  eternity.  I  beseech  thee,  oh, 
soul !  seriously  to  consider,  before  it  be  too  late. 

The  great  Saviour  of  the  world  says,  "  The  kingdom 
of  God  is  within  you."  That  is,  inwardly  and  spirit- 
ually, to  be  known  and  perceived.  He  also  says,  "  I 
am  the  light  of  the  world."  He,  by  this  divine  and 
supernatural  light,  lights  us  through  this  dark  world 
to  his  spiritual  and  glorious  kingdom,  where  he  rules 
and  reigns  in  transcendent  majesty  and  brightness; 
of  which  his  faithful  subjects  are  in  some  measure 
sensible ;  glory  to  the  King  of  kings  forever. 

And  that  eminently  wise  apostle,  Paul,  says,  "  He 
was  sent  to  turn  men  from  darkness  to  light."  Dark- 
ness he  calls  the  power  of  Satan,  and  light  the  power 
of  God.  Now  as  a  man  walking  in  outward  darkness 
is  in  continual  danger  of  falling,  not  knowing  whither 
he  goeth,  so  also  a  man  living  and  walking  in  spiritual 
darkness,  which  is  the  power  of  Satan,  where  the  won- 
derful power  and  works  of  God  cannot  be  seen  or  un- 
derstood, must  needs  be  in  the  greatest  danger  of 
falling  into  the  bottomless  pit  of  perdition,  where 
horrible  darkness  and  unutterable  misery  prevail 
forever. 

The  many  bitter  cries,  dreadful  shrieks,  and  heavy 
groans  which  my  ears  have  heard  from  such  dark 
souls,  ready  to  depart  the  body,  have  been  enough 
to  convince  me  of  the  judgment  of  another  world, 
though  there  had  been  no  other  demonstration  of  it 


THOMAS    CflALKLEY.  611 

to  me.  May  our  fine  wits  and  sprightly  youths  repent 
in  time.  Oh  !  my  heart  is  pained  for  them  ;  and  my 
soul  mourns  in  secret  for  many  of  my  former  and 
latter  acquaintance,  and  I  have  also  tender  desires  for 
the  well-doing  and  well-being  of  mankind  in  general. 

If  any,  by  duly  thinking  of  these  things,  should  be 
awakened  and  convinced  of  their  state,  and  their 
former  lives  and  wicked  practices,  and  have  so  much 
light  as  to  see  the  danger  of  living  without  God  in 
the  world;  but  be  ready  to  conclude,  that  if  there  be 
indeed  a  righteous  God,  who  will  reward  every  man 
according  to  his  works,  there  can  then  be  no  hope  for 
them,  they  are  such  wretched  sinners.  Oh !  if  this 
be  the  case  of  any,  look  not  at  such  thoughts,  which, 
in  the  midst  of  your  just  apprehensions,  Satan,  taking 
advantage,  may  thus  suggest  to  you  ;  who  having  got 
you  deep  already  in  the  mire  of  sin,  would  by  such 
infusions  plunge  you  deeper  both  into  sin  and  despair. 

Be  it  remembered  that  Christ  died  for  sinners,  even 
the  chief,  as  Paul  says,  and  he  can  make  a  chief  saint 
of  a  chief  sinner,  as  appears  in  the  case  of  that  apostle, 
by  his  own  testimony.  God  hath  done  and  can  do  it, 
though  it  be  wonderful ! 

Wherefore  abide  not  in  darkness,  but  repent  and 
turn  to  the  light  of  life  !  strive  and  struggle  for  life, 
the  life  of  God  in  the  soul  of  man !  turn  ye  to  the 
divine  light;  turn  to  God  who  is  light,  and  in  him  is 
no  darkness  at  all ;  live  and  walk  in  the  light  of  God, 
which  is  far  above  the  light  of  human  reason ;  therein 
shall  we  have  fellowship  with  the  Father  of  lights, 


612  THE    JOURNAL    OF 

and  his  Son  Jesus  Christ ;  whose  religion  is  spiritual : 
"  God  is  a  spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him,  must 
worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

God  must  be  worshipped  in  thought,  word,  and 
deed;  that  is,  in  all  things  we  ought  to  express  an 
humble  reverence  and  adoration  to  the  Sovereign 
Being,  frequently  meditating  on  his  great  name. 
But  all  evil  and  sinful  thinking  we  must  refrain 
from  with  abhorrence,  as  displeasing  to  him,  being 
of  the  devil,  that  wicked  spirit ;  and  indeed  it  is 
contrary  to  the  nature  and  end  of  free-thinking ; 
which  is  a  sincere  exercise  of  the  rational  faculty,  in 
order  to  distinguish  between  good  and  evil,  truth  and 
falsehood,  that  we  may  choose  and  acknowledge  the 
one,  and  avoid  and  reject  the  other.  And  here  it 
may  not  be  unfit  to  recommend  the  care  of  all  our 
thoughts,  from  whence  proceed  our  words  and  actions, 
as  naturally  as  good  and  evil  fruit  from  the  different 
seeds  sown  in  the  earth. 

And  as  the  truest  and  most  sublime  end  of  thinking, 
which  is  the  reasonable  service  of  every  intelligent 
being,  is  the  contemplation,  fear,  and  adoration  of 
the  Almighty  Creator,  so  are  we  thereto  greatly  en- 
couraged by  that  Scripture  of  Malachi,  which  I  am 
concerned  here  to  transcribe  and  recommend,  viz. : 
"  Then  they  that  feared  the  Lord,  spake  often  one  to 
another,  and  the  Lord  hearkened  and  heard  it,  and 
a  book  of  remembrance  was  written  before  him  for 
them  that  feared  the  Lord,  and  that  thought  upon 
his  name.     And  they  shall  be  mine,  saith  the  Lord 


THOMAS    CHALKLEY.  613 

of  hosts,  in  that  day  when  I  make  up  my  jewels,  and 
I  will  spare  them  as  a  man  spareth  his  own  son  that 
serveth  him.  Then  shall  ye  return  and  discern  be- 
tween the  righteous  and  the  wicked,  between  him  that 
serveth  God,  and  him  that  serveth  him  not." 

In  which  Scripture  we  may  observe  how  great  and 
glorious  a  reward  is  promised  to  those  who  sanctify 
the  name  of  the  Lord  ;  the  consideration  of  which 
must  needs  raise  their  love  and  admiration,  and  add 
to  their  present  delight  in  such  holy  thoughts. 

But,  on  the  contrary,  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  evil 
thinkers  and  actors,  when  the  divine  Spirit  and  light 
would  inspire  them  with  good  thoughts,  or  convince 
them  of  their  sins,  endeavor  to  stifle  or  overcome  such 
thoughts  or  motions  as  would  awaken  them  to  right- 
eousness, or  restrain  them  from  sin;  and  strive  by 
their  natural  wit  to  reason  the  good  Spirit  out  of  their 
souls ;  at  the  same  time  opening  their  hearts  to  the 
evil  spirit  and  his  suggestions,  which  they  hug  to  their 
own  destruction.  But  to  judge  rightly  of  these  things, 
if  a  man  have  ever  so  much  natural  wit  and  strength 
of  reason,  it  must  be  sanctified  through  his  faithful 
subjection  to  the  divine  will,  and  raised  by  divine 
inspiration ;  which  as  far  surpasses  human  reason  as 
heaven  is  above  the  earth.  May  our  men  of  bright 
natural  thought  think  clearly  and  seriously  of  this. 
This  is  evident  in  the  case  of  the  great  apostle  Paul, 
who  was  educated  at  the  feet  of  Gamaliel,  in  the  per- 
fect manner  of  the  law,  yet,  by  all  his  knowledge 
could  not  justly  distinguish  concerning  religion,  but 
52 


614  THE   JOURNAL    OF 

was  a  persecutor  of  the  church  of  Christ.  But  when 
his  knowledge  and  spirit  came  to  be  sanctified  by  the 
grace  and  spirit  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  then,  and 
not  till  then,  he  became  of  great  and  good  use  to  his 
Maker  and  mankind.  Then  his  reason  and  religion 
became  spiritual,  "  who  had  not  conferred  with  flesh 
and  blood,  but  had  been  obedient  to  the  heavenly- 
vision."  And  he  says,  "If  in  this  life  only  we  have 
hope  in  Christ,  we  are  of  all  men  the  most  miserable." 
His  hope  and  expectation,  as  well  as  of  all  faithful 
believers,  must  have  been  of  another  life, ,  and  the 
kingdom  of  God  hereafter  :  "  For  here,"  says  he,  "we 
have  no  continuing  city,  but  seek  one  to  come."  And 
though  the  condition  of  such,  in  this  life,  be  often 
exposed  to  much  persecution  and  trouble  for  their 
faith's  sake,  towards  the  name  of  God  and  testimony 
against  this  world  and  the  evil  spirit  ruling  therein ; 
yet,  blessed  be  the  Most  High,  he  gives  them  strength 
and  the  assurance  of  his  favor,  whereby  they  endure 
to  the  end,  as  well  as  that  he  refreshes  them  with  his 
outward  blessings  and  comforts  ;  so  that  they  may 
well  say,  with  his  ancient  servant  Job,  "  Shall  we 
receive  good  at  the  hand  of  the  Lord,  and  not  evil  ?  " 
Thus  afflictions  have  been  indeed  usually  called,  but 
they  often,  in  the  hand  of  God,  are  means  of  redeem- 
ing the  soul,  and  raising  up  many  excellent  virtues, 
when  they  are  rightly  submitted  to. 

I  would  inquire  what  subject  we  can  possibly  choose 
so  worthy  of  our  meditation,  or  from  whence  so  great 
a  benefit  can  redound  both  to  spirit  and  body  ?     The 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  615 

fear  and  thoughts  of  Almighty  God,  which  are  inspired 
by  his  grace  sanctifying  our  hearts,  thereby  render  us 
more  fit  to  receive  his  favors  both  to  spirit  and  body, 
which  he  multiplies  according  to  his  wisdom  and  good 
pleasure ;  and  all  our  faculties  and  passions  being  re- 
deemed and  governed  by  the  spirit  of  faith,  we  shall 
possess  and  enjoy  all  things  in  a  more  regular  and 
excellent  manner.  But  who  is  there  that  hath  not 
been  so  great  a  partaker  of  the  many  blessings,  with 
which  the  infinite  Creator  filleth  the  world,  and  in  an 
especial  manner  encompasseth  mankind,  as  not  to  be 
obliged  to  a  continual  acknowledgment  thereof,  and 
remembrance  of  the  great  and  bountiful  Author?  The 
state  therefore  of  the  wicked  and  rebellious  is  stigma- 
tized in  holy  Scripture  with  this  character,  in  partic- 
ular, that  "  God  is  not  in  all  their  thoughts."  And 
indeed  for  this  came  his  judgment  upon  the  old  world 
of  the  ungodly,  who  cannot  be  supposed  ever  to  have 
thought  of  the  adorable  Lord,  since  every  imagination 
and  thought  of  their  hearts  was  only  evil  continually, 
as  the  Almighty  himself  hath  complained. 

But  instead  of  the  returns  of  faith  and  love,  how 
sad  a  consideration  is  it,  that  there  should  among 
men  be  found  any  so  vile  and  foolish  as  even  to  deny 
the  divine  existence,  and  the  effects  of  his  infinite 
power  in  the  external  creation,  and  to  affirm  that  all 
things  have  come  by  nature,  without  God,  or  any 
supernatural  power ;  which  evil  tenet  some  have 
endeavored  to  justify  and  support  by  natural  reason; 
"  Wherein  the  name  thereof  may  indeed  be  abused ; 


616  THE   JOURNAL   OP 

but  reason  itself,  which  concludes  nothing  without- 
evidence,  can  never  declare  in  favor  of  a  proposition 
for  which  not  only  none  can  appear,  but  against  which 
the  whole  world  is  full  of  it.  But  let  this  be  disposed 
for  the  judgment  of  reason.  When  therefore  it  is 
said,  that  all  things  have  come  by  nature,  if  thereby 
we  are  to  understand  that  natural  things  are  severally 
self-productive,  this  will  be  disproved  by  daily  expe- 
rience; for  we  may  observe,  that  they  depend  one 
upon  another,  and  upon  various  causes  for  produc- 
tion and  subsistence,  without  which  neither,  in  a  state 
of  nature,  could  possibly  be.  But  if  it  be  meant  of 
the  universal  system  of  natural  things  collectively, 
this  will  less  be  allowed  of  many,  than  of  any  par- 
ticular of  them ;  because  that  would  destroy  the 
nature  of  a  self-productive  power,  which  cannot  be 
limited  from  being  infinite,  and  therefore  can  be  but 
one :  one  infinite  supreme  nature,  therefore,  only  can 
have  self-existed,  and  must  have  been  the  supernatural 
author  and  power,  by  whom  all  other  beings  have  ex- 
isted :  which  refutes  the  above  error,  and  rationally 
proves  and  establishes  the  great  truth  in  the  ques- 
tion." 

And  this  the  Christian  religion  teaches  in  the 
greatest  perfection,  that  the  Creator  of  all  things  is 
God,  an  infinite  eternal  Spirit,  who  filleth  all  things ; 
who  having  been  pleased  to  manifest  his  eternal  power 
and  godhead  in  the  visible  frame  of  the  universe, 
beareth  witness  of  himself  therein,  by  his  providence 
and  judgments;  and  in  every  soul  of  man  by  his 


THOMAS   CHALKLEY.  617 

inward  inspirations ;  especially  the  sincere  believer 
in  whom  his  spirit  dwells  and  operates. 

Oh !  that  men  therefore  would  lift  up  their  minds 
and  open  their  hearts  to  him,  when  by  his  holy  Spirit 
he  reproves  them  for  sin,  and  brings  a  damp  upon 
their  spirits  for  evil;  from  which  they  would,  per- 
haps, if  they  could,  run,  or  divert  themselves  from 
the  sense  of  it.  But,  alas !  there  is  no  fleeing  from 
his  presence,  who  is  everywhere ;  nor  avoiding  his 
judgment,  whose  kingdom  comprehends  all  things : 
but  woe  is  especially  to  them  with  whom  his  spirit 
ceases  striving.  Holy  David  certainly  was  very  sen- 
sible of  this,  when  he  wrote  that  admirable  description 
of  the  Divine  Omnipresence,  "  Whither  shall  I  go  from 
thy  spirit,  or  whither  shall  I  flee  from  thy  presence  ? 
If  I  ascend  up  to  heaven,  thou  art  there :  If  I  make 
my  bed  in  hell,  behold  thou  art  there.  If  I  take  the 
wings  of  the  morning,  and  dwell  in  the  uttermost 
parts  of  the  sea,  even  there  shall  thy  hand  lead  me, 
and  thy  right  hand  shall  hold  me.  If  I  say,  surely 
the  darkness  shall  cover  me,  even  the  night  shall  be 
light  about  me,  yea,  the  darkness  hideth  not  from 
thee ;  but  the  night  shineth  as  the  day  :  the  darkness 
and  the  light  are  both  alike  to  thee."  With  these 
views  of  the  infinite  power  and  presence  of  the  Al- 
mighty, I  shall  pass  to  the  relation  promised,  which 
may  here  be  properly  inserted. 

My  author  was  Jonathan  Dickenson,  merchant  in 
Philadelphia,  who  was  present  with  the  young  men 
whom  this  extraordinary  providence  befell,  at  Port 
52* 


618  THE   JOURNAL   OF 

Eoyal,  in  Jamaica :  he  gave  me  the  following  account 
Two  ingenious  young  men,  who  were  lately  arrived 
at  Jamaica,  from  London,  discoursing  about  earth- 
quakes, asserted  that  all  things  came  by  nature :  and 
so  argued  thereupon,  that  it  brought  terror  upon  the 
company,  who  were  many,  at  dinner  in  an  upper  room. 
Whilst  this  lasted,  to  the  great  astonishment  of  all 
present,  the  earth  began  to  move  and  tremble,  which 
put  most  of  them  to  flight  in  such  haste,  that  they  ran 
one  almost  over  another,  some  down  stairs,  others 
leaping  over  the  balcony.  But  my  author  said  he 
considered  there  was  no  running  from  Divine  Provi- 
dence, and  that  the  same  hand  which  moved  the 
earth,  was  able  to  preserve  him ;  in  which  he  trusted, 
and  was  preserved.  As  he  continued  with  the  young 
men  in  the  same  room, —  oh !  terrible  to  relate,  and 
my  heart  and  hand  tremble  in  the  writing  thereof, — 
the  mighty  hand  of  an  offended  God  struck  these 
young  men  with  death,  and  they  fell  down,  and  never 
rose  any  more,  being  in  all  appearance  unprepared  for 
so  sudden  a  change.  And  how  many  other  gay,  witty 
young  people  have  been  suddenly  snatched  away  by 
death,  though  perhaps  not  so  immediately,  nor  in  so 
extraordinary  a  manner,  seems  worthy  of  reflection. 
The  author  of  this  account  added,  that  he  took  up  the 
young  men,  and  laid  one  of  them  upon  a  bed,  and  the 
other  upon  a  couch ;  but  that  they  never  sipoke  again 
after  their  blasphemy  against  God  and  his  works. 
Upon  which  I  think  it  very  natural,  as  well  as  neces- 
sary to  remark,  that  this  was  indeed  an  eminent  in- 


THOMAS    CHALKLEF.  619 

stance  of  the  just  judgment ,  of  God  against  such  as 
deny  his  wonderful  power  and  providence  in  the  crea- 
tion ;  with  this  terrible  circumstance,  that  these  un- 
happy persons  were  cut  off  in  the  midst  of  their  un- 
godly discourse  and  corrupt  reasoning,  without  so 
much  time  afforded  them  as  to  ask  pardon  and  crave 
mercy  of  a  provoked  Lord ;  which  is  very  dreadful  to 
consider.  I  especially  recommend  it  to  the  serious 
reflection  of  all  such  as  affect  the  name  of  free- 
thinkers, as  they  are  commonly  distinguished,  that 
they  may  no  longer,  under  such  a  pretence,  abuse 
their  understanding  with  a  latitude  of  profane  and 
evil  thinking  :  who,  as  they  must  be  sensible  that 
they  have  not  conferred  the  excellent  faculty  of  reason 
upon  themselves,  so  they  may  as  certainly  conclude 
that  "they  never  received  it  to  exclude  His  existence, 
power,  and  providence  out  of  the  world,  who  gave  it 
them ;  nor  to  employ  it  to  their  own  destruction,  by 
such  a  perversion  thereof,  which  must  inevitably  be 
the  consequence,  without  timely  and  due  repentance; 
but  that  they  may  apply  themselves  to  Him  for  true 
wisdom,  who  is  the  eternal  fountain  of  it,  who  would 
direct  all  their  thoughts  aright  therein.  Then  would 
they  find  a  substantial  and  enduring  happiness  and 
satisfaction,  in  the  honorable  thoughts  and  practice 
of  true  religion  and  virtue;  and  that  all  vain  and 
evil  thoughts  directly  tended  to  the  misery  and  de- 
struction of  mankind. 

Lastly,  if  any  expression  in  this  short  tract  should 
prove  successful  to  promote,  in  any  measure,  the  con- 


620     THE    JOURNAL    OF    THOMAS    CHALKLEY. 

templation  of  the  Divine  Being,  the  consideration  of 
man's  duty  to  him,  his  Almighty  Creator,  or  to  con- 
vince but  one  soul  of  the  error  of  his  thoughts  and 
ways,  the  author  will  think  himself  richly  rewarded 
for  his  endeavors,  and  reverently  ascribe  the  glory  and 
praise  to  God,  the  prime  Author  and  mover  of  every 
good  thing,  who  is  worthy  forever. 


INDEX. 


A. 

Page 

Andrews,  Edward,  convincement  of. 75 

Atkinson,  Aaron,  sails  to  America 25 


B. 

Barbadoes,  conversation  with  Governor  of. 52 

Barclay,  Robert,  testimony  respecting 87 

Bell,  John,  accompanies  T.  C.  to  Holland 90 

Bermuda,  loss  of  the  people  of,  by  a  hurricane 113 

Betterton,  Martha,  married  to  T.  C 46 

Bewley,  Mungo,  met  by  T.  C 322 

Borden,  Joseph,  kind  offer  of,  to  Friends 320 

Bowles,  Abigail,  attends  Philadelphia  Yearly  Meeting...  204 

Brown,  Martha,  married  to  T.  C 109 

Brown,  Thomas,  travels  with  T.  C 138 

« 

C. 

Cathing,  Robert,  sickness  and  death  of. 28 

Chalkley,  Thomas,  birth  of. 11 

persecution  of,  when  going  to  school ;    reproves 

lads  for  swearing 12 

conversation  of,  with  some  men  he  had  reproved ; 

strong  convictions  of,  in  childhood 13 

incident  respecting  playing  cards 14 

declines  playing  with  his  uncle 15 

(621) 


622  INDEX. 

Page 

Chalkley,  Thojus,  extraordinary  visitation  and  deep  re- 
ligious exercise 16 

trial  of,  on  account  of  plain  language 17 

pressed  on  board  a  man-of-war 18 

exercise  of,  on  account  of  neighbors,  etc 20 

commences  in  the  ministry;  visits  meetings  in 
Essex  ;  addresses  Friends  of  the  evening  meet- 
ing at  his  father's  house 21 

end  of  apprenticeship ;    visits  meetings  west  of 

London 22 

accused  of  being  a  Jesuit;  death  of  the  mother  of  23 

travels  into  north  of  England  and  Scotland 24 

concern  of,   to  visit  America ;    sails  with  three 

other  Friends 25 

exercises  of,  on  account  of  the  sick  on  board  of 

ship  going  to«America 27 

arrival  in  Maryland  in  1698 28 

travels  in  Maryland  ;  visit  to  some  Indians;  goes 

into  Virginia  and  Pennsylvania 30 

visits  New  Jersey,  Long  Island,  Rhode  Island 31 

persecuting  spirit  at  Boston 32 

service  in  Nantucket 33 

disputes  with  the  Governor 34 

travels  into  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia 38 

embarks  for  England 39 

lands  at  Plymouth 45 

attends  London  Yearly  Meeting  ;  marriage  of.....  46 
visit  of,  to  Ireland ;     concern  of,   to  remove  to 

America;    embarks  with  his  family 48 

near  shipwreck  on  Goodwin  Sands 49 

lands  at  Patuxent  river ;  removes  to  Philadelphia ; 

visit  to  Barbadoes 51 

conversation  of,  with  the  Governor 52 

embarks  for  Philadelphia 55 

arrives  at  Inme  ;   visits  the  southern  provinces...  56 
preservation  of,  from  the  bite  of  a  rattlesnake, 

and  from  foundering 57 


INDEX.  623 

Page 
Chalkley,  Thomas,  returns  home,  and  sets  out  for  New 

England 58 

reply  of,  to  a  question  put  to  him  as  he  entered 

Boston 66 

return  home  ;    visits  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  and 

Maryland  ;    controversy  with  Priest  Crawford..     67 
goes  again   into  Maryland ;    opposed  by  Priest 

Edwards  and  a  lawyer 70 

visit  of,  to  some  Indians  near  the  Susquehanna...     72 
visit  of,  to  Egg  Harbor,  etc. ;    calumniated  in  an 

almanac;    writes  "  A  Small  Broom  " 75 

refutation  by,  of  the  charge  that  Friends  pay  their 

ministers 76 

concern  of,   to  visit  Friends  in  the  West  Indies 

and  Europe 77 

obtains  certificates  ;    embarks 78 

chased  by  a  privateer ;    arrives  in  Barbadoes 79 

visits  several  islands 80 

chased   by  a   privateer ;    conversation  with   the 

sailors 81 

sails  for  England  82 

remarkable  preservation  from  capture  ;    chased 

by  two  privateers 83 

escape  to  the  shore 84 

visit  of,  in  Ireland  ;    writes  an  "  Exhortation  to 

Youth";    crosses  to  Scotland 85 

shameful  treatment  of,  at  Glasgow;  sharp  rebuke 

of  the  people  by 86 

parts  with  Richard  Gove  ;    travels  up  to  London..     88 

meets  his  father  and  brother  ;  is  taken  sick 89 

visits  several  places  about  London  ;    crosses  over 

to  Holland 90 

meetings  held  by,  in  many  places  in  Holland 91 

passes  into  East  Friesland  and  Germany 92 

has   a  very  satisfactory  meeting   at  Hamburg  ; 

writes    "A  Loving  Invitation   to  Young  and 

Old" 93 


624  INDEX. 

Page 
Chalklky,  TaoMAS,  remarks  of,  respecting  the  treatment 

of  women  in  Germany  and  England 94 

accident  to,  on  the  road  ;  acknowledgment  by,  of 
Divine  help  to  himself  and  to  the  interpreter...     95 

returns  to  Amsterdam  ;    long  fast  by 96 

goes  again  to  North  Holland  ;  back  to  Rotterdam     97 

crosses  to  England 98 

attends  London  Yearly  Meeting ;  travels  through- 
out England 99 

attends  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  sails  for  home...  100 

arrival  of,  at  home 102 

false  reports  respecting 103 

goes  down  into  Maryland  with  his  family ;    sick- 
ness of  his  wife 104 

brings  his  wife  back  to  Philadelphia ;    sickness 

and  death  of  the  wife  of. 105 

various  journeys  by;  disputes  with  a  priest 106 

writes  an  answer  to  a  plea  for  tithes  ;    sails  to 

Charleston , 107 

conversation  of,  with  the  Governor ;    comes  into 

Virginia 108 

returns  to  Philadelphia ;    second  marriage 109 

travels  into  Maryland  and  New  Jersey ;    inter- 
view of,  with  a  young  woman  confined  in  prison  110 

sails  for  Bermuda Ill 

returns  home  ;    sails  again  to  Bermuda 112 

prayer  of,  apparently  answered  by  the  abating  of 

a  great  storm 113 

declines  drinking  the  king's  health  when  asked 

to  by  the  Governor  of  Bermuda 115 

sails  for  home ;  threatened  with  starvation ;  offers 
himself  to   keep  .the   others   from   perishing ; 

wonderful  preservation 116 

arrives  at  home  ;    religious  services  about  home ; 

goes  into  Maryland 117 

sails  for  Barbadoes  and  England 118 


/ 


INDEX.  625 

Page 
Chalk  let,  Thomas,  writes  "A  Scruple  of  Conscience  about 

Form  of  Prayer,"  etc. ;   lands  in  Barbadoes 120 

arrives   in   England,    and  meets  his  father  and 
other  relations  ;    -writes  upon  Christ's  Sermon 

on  the  Mount 124 

sails  for  home,  with  several  Friends  in  company ; 

arrives ;  sails  again  for  Barbadoes  and  England  125 
dangers  encountered  by,  in  Delaware  river  and 

bay 127,128 

from  Barbadoes  goes  to  Antigua 129 

observations  of,  on  the  obligation  to  pursue  need- 
ful business 130 

some  account  by,  of  the  voyage  to  England... 131-135 

meets  his  father  and  relatives  ;  sails  for  home 135 

arrives  at  home  ;  visits  Maryland  ;  narrow  escape  137 
visits  back  parts  of  Pennsylvania ;    visits  Long 

Island 139 

death  of  the  tenth  child  of;    remarks  of,  respect- 
ing the  loss  of  his  children 141 

moves  to  Frankford 142 

observations  of,  respecting  faith  and  works 144 

on  the  duty  of  forgiveness 146 

engaged  in  reconciling  a  difference  at  Burlington  147 
sickness  of;    meets  with  Thomas  Lightfoot  and 

Benjamin  Kid  in  New  Jersey 148 

fault  found  with,  by  some,  for  travelling  so  much 

from  home 149 

epistle  from,  to  Friends  in  Barbadoes...? 152 

visit  to  Long  Island 154 

opposed  by  a  priest 156 

returns  home  ;    services  about  home 157 

thrown  from  his  horse,  and  severely  hurt 158 

answer  of,  to  a  letter  on  Baptism 159 

exhortation  by,  relative  to  the  warnings  given  by 

Divine  providence 165 

severe  trials  of. 166 

53 


626  INDEX. 

Pag« 
•/Halkley,  Thomas,  considerations  of,  respecting  his  trials 

167,  168 
exhortation  of,  that  the  Holy  Spirit  be  allowed  to 

govern  in  the  Church 168,  169 

advice  from,  to  youth 169 

letter  to,  from  his  father , 172 

reply  from,  to  his  father 173 

repeated  losses,  trials  and  sickness 174,  175 

letter  from,  to  E.  Levis  and  J.  Fenn 176 

letter  from,  to  one  concerned  to  preach  the  gospel  180 

engages  in  a  family  visit 186 

explains  the  care  of  Friends  respecting  marriage  188 
exhorts  Friends  to  plainness  ;     travels  in  New 

Jersey  and  Pennsylvania 189,  190 

goes  again  into  New  Jersey 191 

exercise  of,  on  account  of  the  youth 192 

advice  from,  to  a  Friend  who  had  separated  from 

Friends  in  Barbadoes 193 

exhortation  by,  to  a  young  man  under  conviction  ; 

confirmation  to,  of  the  doctrine  of  rewards  and 

punishments 196 

exhortation  by,  to  ministers . 197 

letter  from,  to  the  young  men  under  conviction...  198 
reply  from,  to  one  who  queried  how  it  was  to  be 

known  which  Society  had  the  most  of  the  Holy 

Spirit 200 

serious  accident  occurring  to -202 

sets  out  for  Maryland 204 

ministerial  services  of,  at  several  meetings 205 

comes  into  Pennsylvania 206 

visit  of,  to  Thomas  Lightfoot  in  his  last  illness 207 

leaves  home  for  Long  Island 209 

several  meetings  attended  by 210,  211 

goes  into  New  York 212 

visits  a  young  woman  depressed  in  mind 213 

account  by,  of  several   meetings  held  on  Long 

Island  and  in  New  York 215-220 


INDEX.  627 

Page 

Chalkley,  Thomas,  refutes  one  who  said  we  should  not 

eat  meat 217 

returns  home 220 

epistle  from,  to  the  Quarterly  Meeting  at  Flush- 
ing  221-225 

attends  meetings  with  Abigail  Bowles 225 

advice  of,  to  freethinkers 226 

discourse  by,  on  Ezekiel's  vision  of  the  holy  waters  228 

attends  meetings  in  New  Jersey 230 

visits  Friends  about  Oley 232 

advice  of,  respecting  marriage 233 

letter  to,  from  his  brother,  giving  information  of 

their  father's  death  234 

account  of  his  father's  convincement,  last  sick- 
ness, and  death 237-244 

testimony  of,  concerning  his  father 244 

resolution  of,  to  love  those  who  defamed  him 246 

concern  of,  on  account  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 

Provinces 247 

vivid  impression  on  the  mind  of,  of  a  Scripture  text  248 
reasons  given  by,  why  Christians  should  not  swear  250 
exhorts  Friends  to  cleanse  the  Society  of  those 

who  are  profane  or  riotous 252 

testimony  of,  respecting  John  Lee  ;    thoughts  of, 

on  the  virtue  of  temperance 254 

accompanies  William  Pigot  to  several  meetings  ; 
vision  of,  respecting  Divine  displeasure  on  ac- 
count of  the  sin  of  the  land 255 

prediction  of,  fulfilled 256 

sails  for  Barbadoes 257 

remarkable  sense  given  to,  of  the  Lord's  displeas- 
ure with  the  people,  etc 258 

checks  swearing  and  quarrelling  on  board  the 

vessel 259 

Friends'  belief  in  the  Three  that  bear  record  in 
heaven,  declared  by 260 


628  INDEX. 

Page 
Chalklet,  Thomas,  sense  of  the  Lord's  support  while  at 

sea,  experienced  by t 261 

arrival  at  home  ;    convinces  P.  M.  of  the  sin  of 

taking  human  life 262 

letter  from,  to  his  children's  schoolmaster 264 

notice  by,  of  the  death  of  George  1 266 

letter  from,  to  his  son-in-law 267 

visits  Long  Island  and  Jersey 270 

consolations  of,  in  his  losses 271 

letter  of,  to  the  teacher  of  his  children 272 

sails  for  Barbadoes 273 

return  of,  home 276 

sails    again    for   Barbadoes;     sets    a  dislocated 

shoulder 277 

return  of,  home 278 

testimony  of,  against  vice  in  Pennsylvania 279 

serious  accident  to 282 

takes  command  of  a  ship 283 

sails  for  Barbadoes  ;   care  of,  to  prevent  swearing 

and  drinking  in  his  ship 284 

testimony  of,  against  dancing 285 

returns  home 287 

concern  of,  respecting  the  rising  generation... 287-292 
exhortation  by,  to  the  people  of  Pennsylvania  on 

the  arrival  of  many  immigrants 292 

sails  again  to  Barbadoes 293 

stormy  voyage  home 295-297 

two  more  voyages  to  and  from  Barbadoes 298-300 

consolation  administered  to 300-302 

deliverance  from  loss  by  a  violent  hurricane 301 

makes  another  voyage 302 

narrow  escape  of,  from  shipwreck 303 

remarks  of,  on  friendship 306 

on  the  visitations  of  sickness  in  Phi- 
ladelphia   308 

sixth  voyage  of,  to  Barbadoes 309 


INDEX.  629 

Page 

OnxLKLEY,    Thomas,    seventh   voyage   of,    to    Barbadoes; 

severe  accident  to,  at  sea 313 

stormy  passage  of. .'... 314 

difficulties  encountered  by,  in  bringing  his  ship 

to  Philadelphia 315,  316 

eighth  voyage  of,  to  Barbadoes  and  back 317,  318 

visits  meetings  about  home  and  in  New  Jersey..319,  323 

sails  again  for  Barbadoes 323,  324 

reflections  of,  on  his  peculiar  trials 325 

apprentice  to,  lost  at  sea ;    another  voyage  of,  to 

Christophers 327 

instruction  administered  to,  while  mourning  over 

his  afflictions 328 

conversation  of,  with  Galloway  relative  to  holding 

a  meeting  at  his  house 329 

detention  of,  at  Christophers 331 

notice  by,  of  the  insurrection  of  the  negroes  in 

St.  John's 333 

death  and  character  of  the  only  son  of. 334-337 

sails  for  Publin 337 

return  of,  home 338 

sails  for  Barbadoes  and  London 339 

religious  services  in  the  island 342-344 

shot  at  by  one  who  was  offended  by  his  advice 

respecting  kindness  to  the  negroes 343 

"Free  Thoughts  for  Freethinkers,"  written  by, 

published 344 

sails  for  London 345 

refuses  to  tell  the  press  officer  how  many  men  he 

had  aboard 347 

pays  off  all  his  debts 349 

meets  with  May  Drummond 35^ 

meetings  attended  by,  in  Great  Britain 351-356 

sails  for  home 357 

some  services  about  home 358-360 

observations  by,  on  the  exercise  of  the  discipline  361 
53* 


630  INDEX. 

Page 

Chalkley,  Thomas,  notice  by,  of  a  meteor 363 

remarks  of,  on  preparation  for  death 364 

visit  of,  to  New  York  and  New  England 366 

conversation  of,  with  Joseph  Latham  respecting 

their  abuse  when  boys 367 

goes  to  Nantucket 368 

meetings  attended  by 369-372 

observations  by,  respecting  women's  preaching...  372 
returns  home  ;  engages  ia  a  family  visit  in  Phila- 
delphia   375 

caution  given  by,  to  children  who  have  lost  their 
parents,  not  to  do  that  which  they  would  have 

disapproved 376 

sets  out  on  a  visit  to  the  South 381 

travels  through  Virginia  into  Carolina  and  back 

through  Maryland,  etc 382-385 

epistle  by,  to  Opeckon  Monthly  Meeting 386 

notice  by,  of  war  with  Spain 389 

visit  by,  to  the  lower  counties 390 

visit  into  New  Jersey  ;  notice  by,  of^a  cold  winter  393 

remarks  by,  on  the  "  Mighty  "Works  "  of  God 394 

visit  of,  to  one  condemned  to  die 396 

notice  by,  of  R.  Lippincot 397 

observations  by,  on  the  mortality  in  Philadelphia, 
and  on  the  obligation  to  maintain  the  peaceable 

principles  of  the  gospel 398 

proceeds  on  a  religious  visit  to  the  Virgin  Islands  400 

kindly  received  by  the  Governor  of  Tortola 401 

engaged  in  visiting  some  families 402-404 

notice  by,  of  the  care  of  the  Governor  to  accom- 
modate the  people  at  meeting 404 

sickness  and  death  of. 406,  407 

Claus,  Jacob,  acknowledgment  by 96 

Glaus,  John,  travels  with  and  interprets  for  T.  C 91 

Cloud,  A  remarkable,  overhangs  Barbadoes 121 

Crawford,  Priest,  opposes  T.  C 67 


INDEX.  631 

Page 

Crawford,  Priest,  false  accusation  by 68 

immoral  conduct  of 69 

Curiosities,  Natural,  described  by  T.  C 123 

D. 

Dickinson,  Jonathan,  remarkable  account  by 140 

Distinction  between  voice  of  Christ  and  whispering  of 

Satan 20 

Doctor,  dream  of  the 42 

death  of. 44 

Doe,  Mart,  account  by,  of  Indians  killing  her  mother,  etc..62-64 
Drummond,  May,  notice  of...../ 350 

E. 

Earthquake  at  Philadelphia  165 

Edinburgh,  Friends  of,  holding  meetings  in  the  street 24 

Edwards,  Priest,  opposes  T.  C 70 

Elfreth,  Sarah,  death  of 279 

Ellis,  William,  sails  to  America  with  T.  C 25 

Evan,  Robert,  death  and  character  of. 380 

F. 

Fielding,  Joshua,  travels  of,  in  America 263,  268 

met  with  at  Shrewsbury  270 

Fothergill,  John,  sails  from  Philadelphia 371 

Friends,  three,  killed  by  Indians 61 

G. 

Glaister,  Joseph,  travels  with  T.  C 58 

Gove,  Richard,  accompanies  T.  C 38 

ac;ompanies  T.  C.  to  West  Indies  and  Europe 78 

in  Scotland 88 


632  INDEX. 

Page 

Gove,  Richard,  death  of. 99 

Governor  of  Pennsylvania  issues  a  proclamation  against 

immorality 252 

closes  the  taverns  in  Philadelphia  in  the  evenings  258 
Governor  of  Anguilla,  kindness  of,  to  T.  C 303 

H. 

Hurricane,  a  great,  in  Bermuda 113 

destructive,  in  Barbadoes 310 

I. 

Indians,  destruction  of  life  by,  in  New  England 59 

peaceable  towards  Friends 65 

account  of  a  visit  to,  by  Thomas  Chalkley 72,  73 

Indian  Empress,  speech  of. 73 

J. 

Jew,  acknowledgment  of  a,  to  T.  C 91 

Jordan,  Robert,  marriage  of. 309 

K. 

Keith,  William,  Governor,  attends  a  marriage 158 

Kid,  Benjamin,  at  Yearly  Meeting  in  Philadelphia 145 

met  by  T.  C.  in  New  Jersey 148 

Kirkbride,  Joseph,  burial  of. 379 

L. 

Lawyer,  a,  opposes  T.  C 71 

Leonard,  George,  Governor  of  Anguilla,  declaration  of, 

respecting  Friends 80 

Lightfoot,  Thomas,  travels  with  T.  C 135 

death  of 207 

Lloyd,  Elizabeth,  sails  for  England  with  T.  C 40 

Lord,  John,  testimony  concerning,  by  T.  C 269 

Luther,  opinion  of,  respecting  dancing 138 


INDEX.  633 

Page 
M. 

Meetings,  number  of,  held  in  Holland  and  Germany  by 
T.  C 97 

0. 
Oxley,  John,  visits  Long  Island  with  T.  C 270 

P. 

Parson,  a,  declines  playing  cards 15 

Paca,  Aquila,  builds  a  meeting-house  in  which  Friends 

hold  meetings 72 

People,  some  rude,  disturb  Friends'  meeting ;    several  of 

them  die  suddenly 249 

Philadelphia,  mortality  in,  from  small-pox  303 

earthquake  at 377 

Porter,  William,  a  Friend  of  great  age 38 

Presbyterians,  some,  speak  against  Friends 59 

Preston,  Paul,  dying  sayings  of 319 

R. 

Ranters  opposed  by  T.  C 37 

Richardson,  John,  in  Philadelphia 323 

Roberts,  John,  visited  by  T.  C.  in  his  last  illness 151 

Rutledge,  John,  death  of. 195 

Rumney,  John,  kindness  of,  to  T.  C 304 

S. 

Sailors,  conversation  of  some,  with  T.  C 79 

Salkeld,  John,  religious  labors  of,  with  T.  C 151 

Sermon,  a,  by  a  New-England  priest 60 

Sewel,  William,  interprets  for  T.  C 91 

Sharp,  Peter,  with  T.  C.  in  Barbadoes 260 

Stafford,  Judge,  kindness  of,  to  T.  C 54,  55 

Stanton,  Daniel,  travels  with  T.  C 320,  321 

Story,  Thomas,  travels  with  T.  C 66 

Swearing,  not  lawful  for  a  Christian 250 

I 


634  INDEX. 

Page 
T. 

Turner,  Thomas,  sails  for  America  with  T.  C 25 

travels  with  T.  C 30 

W. 

Waldenses,  Dpinions  of,  respecting  dancing 15 

Waterspout,  a,  seen  by  T.  C 311 

Webb,  Elizabeth,  sails  with  T.  C 40 

Worthington,  Daniel,  accompanies  T.  C 247 

WHITINGS. 

God's  great  Love  to  Mankind 409 

An  Exhortation  to  Youth  and  Others 430 

A  Loving  Invitation  to  Young  and  Old  in  Holland  and 
Elsewhere 430 

Some  Observations  on  Christ's  Sermon  on  the  Mount 451 

Some  truly  tender  Scruples  of  Conscience  about  that  Form 

of  Prayer  called  the  Common  Prayer 510 

A  Letter  to  a  Friend  in  Ireland  containing  a  Relation  of 
some  Sorrowful  Instances  of  the  Sad  Effects  of  Intem- 
perance    524 

A  Letter  to  Aquila  Paca 538 

Christ's  Kingdom  Exalted 542 

Some  Considerations  on  the  Call,  Work,  and  Wages  of  the 
Ministers  of  Christ 574 

Concerning  Personal  Election  and  Reprobation 590 

A  Letter  to  Cotton  Mather 601 

Free  Thoughts  communicated  to  Freethinkers,  etc 608 


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